Satisfy your Asian food cravings at Ai sian Fusion

I got an invite to attend to Celebrity Comedy Queen Ms. Ai Ai's Ai Sian Fusion Restaurant mini presscon last October 26 at Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, Balintawak. The restaurant is located inside the 4th level of the mall.

Going to the restaurant, I took the elevator and asked the elevator girl where is it located. She corrected me right away its "Ay" Sian po hindi Asian", I replied with a smile. 

Ai-Sian Fusion recently opened this year (last September 17, 2018.) As the name implies, its a fusion of chinese, japanese, korean ( samgyupsal) filipino dish with a twist. We, (together with selected bloggers) were served pork mushroom siumai, pork katsudon  house blend tea, and Matcha-Mung Bean Panna Cotta for our dessert.

I personally recommend Steamed Pork & Mushroom Dumpling with Truffled Chili-Garlic Sauce.  It is tasty meaty, soft and big for its price of  P80 for 4 pcs. The Matcha Mung Bean Panna Cotta is just right with the aromatic taste of  matcha perfect with the softness of panna cotta. It is not that sweet which is okay for me. I will definitely come back this week and check out their platter dishes.  

Pork Mushroom Siumai P80

Pork katsudon P260

House Blend Tea P90

Comedy Queen Ai Ai together with Ai Sian Resident Chef Daryl attended the mini presscon. Chef Daryl recommends their Platter for first timers. Ms Ai Ai told that this is her upscale take on restaurant after her Chang Ai Express. She told that mostly Old Chinese dined in and working professionals.  

Ai-sian Fusion's Menu

APPETIZER

Premium Siu Mai

100.00

Siu Mai

80.00

Hakaw

150.00

Crispy Korean Fried Chicken Fondue

280.00

Kani Salad

190.00

Miso Soup

80.00

PORK - ENTREE

Sous Vide Roasted Char Siu Pork

300.00

Spiced Lechon Macau

260.00

Pork Spareribs Taosi

260.00

Pork Katsudon

260.00

Samjyeopsal Plate

300.00

Bibimbap Paellero

260.00

BEEF - ENTREE

US Beef Gyudon

280.00

US Beef Galbi Jjim

300.00

SEAFOOD - ENTREE

Tempura Platter

300.00

Baked Kimchi Seafood Rice

290.00

CHICKEN - ENTREE

Chicken Teriyaki

270.00

Crispy Cantonese Soy Chicken

250.00

Hainan Chicken Rice Pilaf

280.00

PLATTER

Sous Vide Roasted Char Siu Pork & Crispy Cantonese Soy Chicken

460.00

Spiced Lechon Macau & Hainan Chicken

470.00

Sous Vide Roasted Char Siu Pork & Hainan Chicken

480.00

NOODLES

Japchae

300.00

Pork Spareribs Taosi Stewed Noodles

280.00

Sous Vide Roasted Char Siu Pork Noodle Soup

220.00

DESSERT

Mango-Sago Panna Cotta

100.00

Matcha-Mung Bean Panna Cotta

100.00

Almond-Lychee Panna Cotta

100.00

DRINKS

Coffee Jelly

90.00

Black Grass Jelly

90.00

Aisian House Blend Tea

90.00

Wintermelon Cold Tea

90.00

Taro Cold Tea

90.00

Tsing Tao Beer

180.00

Sapporo Beer

180.00

Soju

170.00

Soda

65.00

Bottled Water

35.00

Five things you should know before signing your first loan

For a generation largely thought of as entitled and unprepared for the real world, Millennials, currently aged 22-36, are doing better financially than people give them credit for.

As young professionals, entrepreneurs, creatives, artists, freelancers, among many, many others, living in constant contemplation of their future, most Millennials are, in fact, so passionate about and consumed by their #lifegoals, that most, if not, all their income go to paying for their first car, getting their own place, and generally, living the best years of their lives.

An equal mix of angst and excitement fueled by an almost frantic desire for independence, Millennials are ready and raring to leave the nest and live their lives on their own terms. And they actually have the financial capacity to afford it. Or do they?

Short-term loans and mortgages allow young professionals—from first jobbers to senior managers—to invest in that two-bedroom condo or that first car. But remember, it’s not as simple as it seems.

If you are looking to take out your first bank, car, or home loan, better read on.

Here are five things to keep in mind before you sign on the dotted line! 

Work on your credit history first 
If you’re planning to get a loan, take care of your credit history now. A good credit history will mean better loan offers. You won’t even have to look. Banks and financial institutions will be scrambling to give you one. How to do it? Pay your monthly bills on time and in full!

Choose your lender wisely
To avoid losing money or your collateral, go for reputable lenders like banks and other financial institutions that have good backgrounds and credentials. Their rates may be a bit high but at least you know they’re legit.

Compare rates
Don’t just choose the first bank that offers you a loan. Shop around and compare bank rates. If you do have a bank in mind, knowing the rates of other banks will give you leverage on the negotiation table.

Consider the time frame
It’s so easy to just go for a 10-year-loan or even a 15-year-loan because the monthly dues will be significantly lower. But consider, too, how you will pay for it and the interests that your loan will incur. Longer payment terms mean you will pay more. Calculate that. Try to picture where you will be in 10 or 15 years. Will you still be working and earning an income? It is best to consider these things before deciding on a payment term.

Financially protect your investment and family

Who will pay for the loan if you are suddenly not able to? In the Philippines, Millennials in the workplace do not only work for themselves but also for their families. One way to ensure that your loans won’t become a burden to your family in the future is to take out short term insurance plans for the same length of time and amount as your loan. That way, you can be confident that your unpaid loans will be taken care of, no matter what happens to you.

Try to check out pan-Asian Insurer FWD Life Philippines’ Set for Tomorrow Short Term Cover. For as low as P2,000 a month, it provides a guaranteed 100% life insurance protection against uncertainties and unforeseen life risks in 5 or 10 years—the same time period as a car or house loan. Should anything happen to you, your family will have the money to pay for the debts you left behind. It’s renewable, too, should you decide to take out another loan. And when you’re ready to invest for the long term, you can convert it to a plan that can potentially grow your money through investment funds. Now that’s the height of adulting!   

Want to know more? Visit http://bit.ly/SetForTomorrowforLoans or get a quote using FWD’s Cali, http://bit.ly/AdultingSetforTomorrow

Beepbeep.ph – the first online destination, platform, and gateway for all things automotive – has just been formally launched

I learned how to drive through my father. Yes, I owned my first car when I was in college,  a gift from the parents. During those times, when my car broke down, I only have to call my father and his apprentice (we owned a talyer, then). My father took care of the maintenance and gas. Those were the days, yes!. All I have to do is drive myself to school and do some errands from the parents.

Fast forward to today, I am a parent myself.  The question that haunts me is what if our car (the partner owns a car) broke down in the middle of the night from nowhere and we are all alone. Or an on-road emergency happens? What to do? Is there an app for that?

Help is now here for automobile owners who want freedom from the hassle of traditional responsibilities that come with it such as taking the vehicle personally to the casa for preventive maintenance. beepbeep.ph – the first online destination, platform, and gateway for all things automotive – has just been formally launched to address all car needs in the most efficient and time-saving way.

“Today, we can do all sorts of tasks from our phones. There are services that help us pay our bills, work remotely, get rides, order food, arrange vacations, and other things previously unheard of. We at beepbeep.ph are ushering in a new age of convenience for car owners,” said CEO Anton Ojeda in a speech at the formal launch of the website and app (free to download on the App Store and Google Play) at the Whitespace Manila in Makati City.

Influencer, road safety advocate, multimedia motoring journalist, and TV host James Deakin was also introduced as beepbeep.ph’s official ambassador.

Maintenance Valet

Ojeda walked guests through the features of the app, then performed a live demonstration of the Maintenance Valet – a key feature in the app’s suite of functions.

“When car owners need to have preventive maintenance services or even annual auto-detailing jobs done on their vehicles, they don’t have to do the task themselves and interrupt their daily routines,” the executive said, and showed the audience how to search for their preferred car shop on beepbeep.ph and book an appointment through the website or the app. Cars will be fetched by beepbeep.ph company chauffeurs (all trained professional drivers)  who are fully equipped with body cameras and are continuously monitored via GPS for both safety and constant monitoring. Vehicles are insured from the moment they are turned over to the beepbeep.ph drivers.

“This is something we have thought of very carefully and worked on painstakingly hard on to guarantee because our vehicles are valuable and our time is precious,” continued Ojeda. “Beepbeep.ph promises total transparency, security, and worry-free service. We don’t want our customers to concern themselves about where their cars are or how they are driven.”

Curated Directory

Beepbeep.ph also provides users access to over 7,500 curated and vetted car shops – giving them an immediate link to a considerable network of auto services ranging from reliable official dealership hubs (casas) and independent repair shops (talyer) in the metro through its Search & Canvass feature. Search parameters can be tailored based on service, location, and favorability rating.

The app also links to garages and local car shops that offer maintenance and mechanical repairs, car wash and detailing, body repairs, paints and wraps, and more. Each beepbeep.ph listing provides a detailed look at what to expect from an establishment – a menu of services, features, operating hours, address and Google Map locator, payment methods, and estimated cost per visit. The directory also includes insurance providers and Land Transportation Office outlets.

Emergency Services

Rounding out its services, beepbeep.ph promises motorists an immediate helpline for on-road emergencies. The 24/7 Roadside Assistance feature offers emergency towing, battery replacement, and tire-change services to any car owner – without the need for memberships within Metro Manila, and without additional charges.

“We want to be of service to two groups, actually. Our priority, of course, are car owners. We want them to be confident and comfortable with their vehicles,” declared Ojeda. “Secondly, we aspire to be the medium for all automotive establishments, big or small.”

Rico's Lechon is now open in Food Village Tiendesitas

After the much anticipated opening of Rico's Lechon at BGC.  I just cant believe that 2 branches has opened recently in Glorietta Makati and now launches its biggest branch at 1st Level, Food Village Bulding B of Tiendesitas, Ortigas East, Barangay Ugong in Pasig. 

Rico's Lechon in Tiendesitas can hold up to 300 seating capacity and houses seven VIP rooms for your intimate celebration. It has a homey tropical interiors with wooden furnishings for that probinsya feels.

It was my second visit and this time I ordered 1/4 regular lechon, seafood kare kare and nilagang bulalo shared with blogger friends. Washed it down with green mango shake. It was the best lunch of the day for I still felt full until dinner. I prefer spicy lechon over their regular lechon, partner it with beef trife kare kare and Pandan Tapioca for dessert.  Yum!

The Roasting Pit-an anticipated attraction for visitors of the vicinity-in Rico’s Lechon Tiendesitas is much bigger, which can hold up to twenty full-size lechons. Find a larger Chopping Area where you can view the mouthwatering half a kilo, quarter-kilo, or one full kilo order of spicy or regular lechon, before it reaches your table. A separate counter for takeout orders is available in this branch as well.

And who wouldn’t want to savor the newest dishes off its menu? Introducing delectable additions, which will only be available in Rico’s Lechon Tiendesitas for a time being, prior rolling out to the other restaurant locations. Try out the Lechon Kare-Kare, Beef Tripe Kare-Kare, Tokwa at Lechon Baboy, Ginataang Laing, or Lechon Lumpiang Shanghai, partnered with Sisig Fried Rice or the Chorizo Fried Rice. The dessert menu now offers Buchi with Caramel Sauce, Maja Kalabasa, and Leche Flan, too!

You may also opt for more of its known dishes such as the Adobong Kangkong, Baked Scallops, Bulalo, Lechon Paksiw, and Kamote Balls. Cool your palette with quenchers like the Calamansi Soda or Green Mango Juice. Ultimately, cap off your meal as you delight on the Oreo Mango Float or the Pandan Tapioca.

Keep an eye out as Rico’s Lechon prepares to open two more branches in the Northhern side of the Metro-at Ayala Malls Cloverleaf and UP. Town Center in Quezon City.

Through this expansion, Rico’s Lechon establishes that it’s a growing institution for many residing in Cebu, Metro Manila, and visitors from all over the world.

Truly, “Da best gyud!”

Open from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Including takeout orders. For inquiries, you may contact Rico’s Lechon Tiendesitas at 0917-8950000, 234-9954, 234-9944 or DSL/fax at 234-9996, Rico's Lechon 860 at 0917-8444067, Rico's Lechon Mactan at 0917-111-3000, 032402-0845, or 032-3831498, and Rico's Lechon Talamban at 0917-1027553. For more information, visit www.ricoslechon.com.

m Follow and talk about us on social: #RicosLechon #DaBestGyud

What Halloween? Shows that will make you forget about being scared this October

Sure, with October comes Halloween. We can’t miss it. Tis’ the season to be creepy after all. But, October is not all about ghosts and cobwebs, witches and monsters. There are non-Halloween-related shows, movies this month. In fact, video-streaming service FOX+ has a veritable lineup of new and exclusives series, live sports, Hollywood blockbusters and more. Here are the top three picks this October:

Murder on the Orient Express

Based on the classic whodunit by Agatha Christie, Murder on the Orient Express features a stellar powerhouse cast that includes Judi Dench, Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley, Penelope Cruz, and Johnny Depp. Kenneth Branagh directs and plays the world’s greatest detective Hercule Poirot, who must solve the mystery of a murder that happened when an avalanche stopped the Orient Express on its tracks before the killer strikes again.

The NBA 2018-19 Season 
Basketball fans will never be too far away from getting their NBA fix on FOX+ starting October 18. You can watch select games streamed live on FOX+ as well as keep up with the latest basketball news on Hoops Talks.



Fresh Off the Boat Season 5 (FOX+ Exclusive)
Follow the continuing adventures of the Huangs, an Asian American family who moved from Chinatown in Washington D.C. to Orlando, Florida to pursue the American Dream of running a western-themed steakhouse. Based on the best-selling memoir of Chef Eddie Huang, Fresh Off the Boat is a funny and humorous look at the struggles of Asian immigrants to acclimate into the American way of life.

Stream all this and more on FOX+. New users can now download FOX+ from the App Store and Google Play store for a free 30-Day trial.

Beyond the Box launches the newest iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max models at Uptown Mall in BGC

Excitement builds up as Beyond the Box, the country’s fastest growing Apple premium reseller, launched the newest iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max models at Uptown Mall in BGC last October 26.

Since I am an iPhone user myself, having to own an iPhone 7Plus (will probably use that as my second phone). I am saving up to own an iPhone XS.

During the launch. There was a session with painter/illustrator Tokwa Penaflorida, who held a live drawing demo using the iPad Pro and Apple Pencil.

Fans and enthusiasts lined up at the store beginning 10AM of October 25. The program to count down to the product launch began at 7PM of the same day until 12:01MN of October 26, when the units were made available for purchase.

It was a night full of excitement as Beyond the Box made sure that the wait was well worth it. Beyond the Box offered one-night-only discounts on select items and special promotions for unit purchases. For the launch, free Beyond Essentials kits containing premium accessories from Baseus, XPower, Pop Sockets, Fuse Chicken, Urbanears, Momax and BTW were given to the first 100 customers to purchase the new iPhones.

Those who lined up also got the chance to win hourly raffle prizes from Anytime Fitness and premium items from Beyond the Box. They also enjoyed free pizza courtesy of Pizza Express and smoothies from Jamba Juice, as well as music by DJ Kills Robot.

Aside from the entertainment and refreshments, Beyond the Box also held a series of Box Talks to inspire and educate customers on how to make the most of their Apple devices.

The top features of the Apple Watch OS 5 and the iOS 12 for iPad and iPhone were also presented by an Apple-certified trainer.

The new iPhone XS (64GB Php69,990; 256GB Php79,990; 512GB Php93,490) and iPhone XS Max (64GB Php76,990; 256GB Php86,990; 512GB Php99,990) are available for 24 months 0% installment with Unionbank, Security Bank, Metrobank, BPI, Eastwest Bank, PNB, and Citibank.

They are available for up to 12 months 0% with BDO. They are also available for Home Credit Installment in select Beyond the Box stores in Robinsons Ermita, Vmall Greenhills, and Robinsons Galleria.

For more information and updates, join the mailing list at www.beyondthebox.ph or check out Beyond the Box on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram with the hashtag #beyondtheboxph

Watsons helps you look good and feel great this Holiday season

Christmas is nearing and all of us just as early as today is planning what to buy for our special someone, family, friends, kids, officemates . That's why we should plan ahead and make a gift list and set a budget for everyone. That way we won’t fall prey to last minute splurge purchases.

Times like these, I always visit Watsons and they have everything for my loved ones. From that skincare to makeups, toiletries and even stuff toys for the little ones. It saved me time and money. With all the traffic and parking is hellish nowadays. What better way is to shop at Watsons near you. They also offer  exclusive gift sets for all.

Christmas isn’t just about being with family members and close friends. It’s also a great time to reconnect with people we don’t see often, like our relatives who live out of town or friends who reside far away.

Giving is the essence of the season. We love to give gifts to people we love — our parents, family members, barkada, employees, neighbors, colleagues and even strangers.

                            Watsons Marketing Manager Krista Paula Tan

But this feeling can be ruined by external factors like traffic and lack of time. Who has the time to shop for gifts all day when you have so many things to do at home and at work?

Leading health and beauty retailer, Watsons, helps solve this problem by being the one-stop destination for the best customized and themed gift sets for everyone in your gift list, whether your loved one is into health, fitness, skin care, hair styling, basic essentials and so on. Watsons has a wide selection of health and beauty gift sets that will make your holiday shopping easier and more convenient.

Watsons also makes it more affordable for shoppers by offering select exclusive gift sets for only P279 or P399 when they buy three until December 31, 2018. For Watsons Card members, shoppers can get two times their bonus points when they buy exclusive gift sets until December 26, 2018.

Watsons believes that everyone should look good and feel great this holiday season.

After all, when you look good and feel great, it will be a truly happy Christmas.

For more information, visit www.watsons.com.ph, follow @watsonsph on Facebook and Instagram. For exclusive benefits and promos, get the new Watsons Card. Membership is free and non-expiring. Get one point for every P200 spend at Watsons.