Author: Rochelle Sy Chua

Museo Ning Angeles

Museo Ning Angeles

Museo Ning Angeles is the first place I went to in Angeles City, Pampanga.  The first thing I noticed is that the people are so warm and accommodating.

Located at the center stretch of the historical Old Rosario street, Museo Ning Angeles is an asset of Angeles City.  It became the chosen place for events like exhibits, concerts, art classes and other traditional celebrations.  Actually, I visited Angeles City for their Fiesta Kuliat 2011 and there we were, at Museo Ning Angeles. 🙂

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Built in 1922, it was built as a town hall.  Later on, Museo Ning Angeles was converted to a museum.  A museum that features the history and culture of Angeles City and its people.

Inside the museum is Balikdan.  The section is all about understanding Angeles City’s history, knowing the things that happened from past to present.  The history was narrated through a series of photos, illustrations and memorabilia.  It’s a great way to understand the history considering the great visuals.  Our tour guide was of awesome help too as he was so lively.

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Another great section of Museo Ning Angeles is the Dioramic Scenes of Kapampangan Traditions.  Inside are basically dolls depicting traditional town life in Pampanga.

The dioramas were created by fashion designer Beatriz Pamintuan Tesoro using her nenita dolls dressed in beautiful Filipiniana outfits.  Filipino traditions like the Kusinang Kapampangan, Pascu na, Fiesta, Mandiriquit, Market Day and Illustrado Wedding were displayed.

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Other sections include Reynaldo G. Alejandro Culinary Library which is made to honor Alejandro who was an advocate of Filipino arts and culture.  He donated some of his book collection to Kuliat Foundation in support to the foundation’s goal to preserve Kapampangan food heritage.

Culinarium, on the other hand, is located at the 2nd floor.  The section is dedicated to Kapampangan food heritage.  It was there where we had the Pamangan Piyestang Kapampangan wherein we’ve enjoyed so much Kapampangan delicacies.  Culinarium also showcases kitchen exhibits and living kitchens.  More on my post about the delicious Kapampangan buffet.

kapampangan culinarium

Museo Ning Angeles is open mondays till saturdays from 9AM to 5PM.  You can set an appointment if you want to visit at nighttime or on sundays.  I do suggest you get a tour guide as you’ll surely learn a lot about the history of Pampanga with someone who knows a lot about the heritage and culture.

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Museo Ning Angeles
9am to 5pm
Sto. Rosario street, Sto. Rosario Historic District, Angeles City, Philippines
(045) 887-4703

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JB Music & Sports Historical Himig Lakas Sale Extended

JB Music & Sports Historical Himig Lakas Sale Extended

When JB Music & Sports extended their sale, I had a feeling that there would be another surprise this week.  I thought that the sale most probably be for the whole month of October 2011.  I also thought that they might be adding some more discount for their final week of Historical Himig-Lakas Sale.

Well, good news to us!  The sale is indeed EXTENDED!  We still get 45% off on all items in JB Music & Sports stores.  The bonus is that there are some items that are marked at 70% off!

I knew it!  That’s mainly the reason why I haven’t bought the items that I was eyeing for 2 weeks now.  With more discounts this week, I’m a bit confused as to which instrument to buy.  I’m currently hurrying to decide between getting a drum set (which I’ve been wishing to have for so long), a violin and an electric guitar.

Here are some highlighted items in the sale:

  • LP 45th Anniversary Conga

LP 45th Anniversary Conga

Do the Conga! This 45th Anniversary Conga from LP is really hard to ignore. With its size, color and shape plus the foot shaking beats that comes out of it, this beautiful masterpiece of percussion gets everyone dancing!

  • Suzuki Electric Guitar Package

Suzuki Electric Guitar Package

Who says learning to rock out is expensive? This Electric Guitar Bundle comes fully equipped with all the things you need in order to start your road to becoming the next biggest thing in music!

  • M-Audio Oxygen 61

M-Audio Oxygen 61

In need of a good controller? The M-Audio Oxygen 61 boasts of its amazing capabilities and good looks! Go check it out for yourself because believe me, nothing beats giving it a real test-drive!

  • M-Audio Pro Tools Vocal Studio

M-Audio Pro Tools Vocal Studio

Need a quick way to record your vocals? This is the right item for you! It comes with an M-Audio USB Condenser Microphone plus a version of Pro Tools, all the items you need to produce quality recordings at an affordable price.

I need to decide ASAP or the stocks might run out and I will end up not getting the items that I want.  I suggest you don’t waste your time too!  I believe that this will be the final week for JB Music & Sports’ Historical Himig Sale.  Don’t miss it!  Go now! 🙂

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Historical Himig-Lakas Sale
JB Music & Sports
All Stores Except JB Music Audio Solutions
Different Rates Apply for Visayas and Mindanao

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Freeway honors National Artist Vicente Manansala

Freeway honors National Artist Vicente Manansala

Yesterday, I attended Freeway’s sixth installment of the National Artist Collectors’ Series honoring Vicente Manansala, National Artist for Visual Arts.  I remember the last time I attended a similar event was exactly one year ago when Freeway honored Ramon Valera, National Artist for Fashion.

I’m pretty sure there will be much more collection that will come out of the series as a lot of people appreciate the initiative.  It’s a great way to honor our National Artists!  Since most of us can’t afford to own a copy of their original work, at least we can have items that are inspired by them.

As of today, Freeway has featured the ff. National Artists:

  • Nick Joaquin (Literature)
  • Ang Kiukok (Visual Arts)
  • Jose Garcia Villa (Literature)
  • Ramon Valera (Fashion Design)
  • F. Sionil Jose (Literature)
  • Vicente Manansala (Visual Arts)

The event last night was all about Vicente Silva Manansala (January 22, 1910 to August 22, 1981).  He is our National Artist for Visual Arts and is a well-known Filipino cubist painter and illustrator.

Freeway Manansala Tribute

Manansala reinterpreted or indigenized cubism as he drew his themes from the familiar Filipino environment.  His masterpieces include Madonna of the Slums (1950), a portrayal of mother & child which reflected the poverty in postwar Manila and Jeepneys where Manansala combined the elements of provincial folk culture with the congestion issues of the city.  Barong-barong, cockfighters, families gathering for a modest meal and Quiapo vendors became his subjects as well.

Vicente Manansala was proclaimed National Artist for painting in 1982.

The event was mainly a tribute to Manansala, a special celebration of his life and works.  Before the show started, there was a live sketching & painting session by the artists from Kunst Pilipino Group.

Freeway Manansala Pre Event

A few lucky individuals were treated to their own portraits done by the talented roster of artists from Kunst Pilipino Group:

  • Aris Bagtas
  • Sam Bulaga
  • Allen Casacop
  • Emer Casacop
  • Jo Florendo
  • Lourdes Inosanto
  • Lawton Ladao
  • Raquel Molata
  • Bill Perez
  • Mischa Semana

Freeway Manansala Artist Tribute

At around 7:45pm, the show finally started.  Two popular celebrities Tim Yap and Divine Lee hosted the event.  Both of them wore Manansala outfits which suit them perfectly.

There were special guests too like Maritess Mendoza-Pineda, president of Friends of Manansala Foundation, Cedie Lopez-Vargas of the Lopez Museum and Ronna Manansala, granddaughter of Vicente Manasala.  They shared their personal experiences and stories with Vicente Manansala.

Freeway Manansala Tim Yap and Divine Lee

We were all shown a presentation about Manansala.  His beautiful art pieces were flashed on the screen.  I was in awe.

Freeway Manansala Presentation

Similar to what Freeway did in the past, the interpretation of Vicente Manansala’s work was done through sublimation knits, modern silhouettes, print images of his art pieces & digital images of his masterpieces.

We saw the Freeway-Manansala Collection through a fashion show.  Too bad I had a bad seat so my pictures weren’t great 🙁

Anyhow, the collection is so beautiful!  Do catch them at your favorite Freeway branch as it hits stores on October 21.  The 22-piece collection includes classic & modern tailored dresses, woven shirt tops, sublimation print graphic tees and dresses, Manansala watch, tote bags and accessories.

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California Berry

California Berry

I’ve seen California Berry all over the metro but I never had the chance to try it until last saturday.  I was invited to try out some of their food offering and share my experience here in HeaRty’s Haven.

The branch I was asked to go to was the one at Mezza Residences.  I was shocked to learn that parking fee is at Php 25 per hour!  I guess the target audience of the establishments in this condominium is mainly the Mezza residents.  If ever I want to go back to California Berry, I will go to their other branches.  There are many of them anyway.  In fact, there’s one near my house! 🙂

I love the ambiance of California Berry.  It gives such a welcoming feeling.  I love the lively colors and stylish designs.  The place is so pleasing to the eyes.  California Berry is a happy place.

California Berry Ambiance

The whole menu is framed at the counter with all the pictures of their bestsellers.  While California Berry is known for their non-fat frozen yogurt, they also serve other items too!  I’ll share with you in this post, everything that I tried while I was there.

California Berry Counter

Fresh Fruit Blends

While California Berry also serves serves organic coffee for Php 85, I opted to order their fresh fruit blends.  I love fresh fruit shakes and that’s something I can’t resist whenever I see those in the menu.

Of course, California Berry’s version has got to have yogurt.  So the fresh fruit blends is actually a combination of fresh fruits and yogurt.

I tried out Mango Tango and Banana Rama.  There are other flavors too like: Doubleberry (strawberry & blueberry), FluShot (strawberry, kiwi & orange) and WhipItUp (our choice of 3 fruits to blend).

  • Mango Tango (Php 95) & Banana Rama (Php 95)

California Berry Drinks

Mango Tango is a combination of mango, banana & peach.  However, banana flavor really stood out in the combination.

The other drink I tried was the Banana Rama, a combination of kiwi, banana, mango.  California Berry named this drink right as I didn’t taste the kiwi and the mango at all!  It tasted like pure banana shake (not that I’m complaining!).  It tasted fresh and yummy! 🙂

Utensils

Before the yogurt and the food were served, I noticed the colorful utensils in our table.  Gee, not only do the place looked so youthful but it also matches the colorful spoons and forks!  I actually really took notice of them!  They were so nice to look at that I have to pause for 2 seconds before getting one for myself hahaha!

California Berry Colorful Spoons

Pasta

I was there for lunch and I wouldn’t want to have just frozen yogurt so I was really glad that California Berry serves pasta.  There are four kinds of pasta to choose from: Seafood Alfredo (Php 145), Pasta Carbonara (Php 135), Cheesy Lasagna (Php 145) and Spaghetti Bolognese (Php 125).

  • Seafood Alfredo (Php 145)

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If you’re in a hurry and you’re starving then this is perfect as California Berry serves pasta really fast.

  • Cheesy Lasagna (Php 145)

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I haven’t eaten lasagna for a long time so I was really happy that this was served in our table.  I immediately started eating.  I believe California Berry’s pasta dishes were prepared beforehand then when a customer orders, they will just heat it in the oven.  It still tasted nice nevertheless.

Frozen Yogurt & Ice Ice Baby

The highlight for me is the yogurt which is what California Berry is all about.  California Berry prides itself for having 100% non-fat, healthy frozen yogurt using only non-fat milk in their yogurt mixture.

California Berry Roch

They have a wide array of toppings to choose from. We can make our own yogurt combination to our stomach’s desire 😛  One topping costs Php20 while 2 toppings for Php 30 and 3 toppings for Php 40.

California Berry Toppings

California Berry More Toppings

California Berry do have their signature creations as well which I recommend as the mixture of ingredients worked very well.  They wouldn’t call it Signature Creation if the recipe they made isn’t delicious, right?

If you’re not the adventurous type, you can just order the original flavor without toppings (S-Php60, M-Php85, L-Php115).  If you prefer flavored yogurt then the price is slightly higher (S-Php65, M-Php90, L-Php120).

Here are the ones that I got to try out:

  • Medium-sized Original Yogurt with Cherries, Almonds and Marshmallows (Php 125)

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  • Medium-sized Blueberry Yogurt with Lychee, Walnuts and Mangoes (Php 130)

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  • Medium-sized Blueberry Yogurt with Mangoes, Cherries and Kiwi (Php 130)

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I liked the frozen yogurt especially the one with cherries, marshmallows and almonds.  However, when I got to try the new menu of California Berry which is the Ice Ice Baby, my attention was all there.  Ice Ice Baby is not a frozen yogurt but an ice cream.  It’s low-fat and it’s shaved ice cream that is pretty refined.

Ice Ice Baby is only available in large cup and it comes with 2 toppings of your choice.  Price is at Php 65 which is pretty cheap.  If you want to add 1 more topping, you add Php 20.  If I’m you, I will stick with 2 toppings.  You might want to go try the ice ice baby without the toppings too.  I feel you won’t be able to appreciate the ice cream if the taste of the toppings is overpowering it.  Well, it’s your choice.

  • Watermelon Ice Ice Baby with Cherries and Marshmallows (Php 65)

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  • Watermelon Ice Ice Baby with Kiwi and Mangoes (Php 65)

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  • Strawberry Ice Ice Baby with Chocolate Chips, Jelly Beans and Orange Berries (Php 85)

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My choice for the day!  Super duper pleasing to the eyes plus it was oh, so delicious!!! :D:D:D

  • Taro Ice Ice Baby with Oreo and Rainbow Sprinkles (Php 65)

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It’s totally not my usual lunch but I was satisfied nevertheless.  I had a complete meal from pastas to desserts.  The fruit shake was a great drink to go with them too!

Thanks California Berry!  Me and my blogger friends who were there enjoyed the food that we had.  Till next time! 🙂

California Berry Group Pic

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California Berry
SM Mezza Residences, Aurora cor. Araneta Ave., Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines

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Suplado Watches by Unisilver Time

Suplado Watches by Unisilver Time

A few months ago, I wrote about the book written by my friend, Stanley Chi.  His book, Suplado Tips became so successful that thousands of copies has been sold in less than 3 months.  It’s just wow!  Congratulations Stanley!

I guess a lot of people agree that Suplado is the new SEXY.  So being tall, dark and handsome isn’t the only way to attract people huh?  Aha!  I have to watch out as lots of guys are getting more suplado now that Stanley’s book are getting more popular!

  • Suplado Tip # 6: Kung panay ang tanong sayo ng kakilala mo, hiritan mo ng “Don’t ask me, ask Mr Webster!”
  • Suplado Tip # 30: Kung ayaw mong mabasted ng babae, huwag kang manligaw!
  • Suplado Tip # 93: Kung may nagtanong sayo kung sino ka at ano ang trabaho mo, hiritan mo ng “GOOGLE ME!”

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Unisilver Time noticed the popularity of Suplado Tips.  They came out with a watch that imbibes the sex appeal in suplado guys.

As Unisilver Time puts it:
Suplado watches are made for those brazen enough to question the self-imposed standards of society,and to uphold their belief without causing chaos in society. They are the silent type, they look indifferent, and yet they exude charm and intelligence that influences a lot of people with the least effort from a Suplado!

Suplado Watches specifications:

  • available colors: Black, White
  • Digital
  • LCD display
  • flag-shaped LCD screen
  • rubber strap & loop
  • hypoallergenic
  • stainless steel buckle
  • hard plastic case
  • time, stopwatch, alarm clock, illumination function
  • 100m water resistant

The watches looked so nice!  I wanted to get one but I felt that the watches are really suited for guys (especially guys who are suplados).  I was trying to convince Stanley to make one for girls and name it ‘Suplada is the New Sexy’ hahaha!

Suplado Watch Black

Suplado Watch White

You can buy the Suplado Watches on all Unisilver Time branches.  Unisilver Time’s website sells them too!  For Php 1,595, it’s a cheap way to help boost your sexiness!

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Suplado Watches
Php 1,595.00
Unisilver Time
http://stanleychi.net

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