Cheers to 2015!

I believe my blogging juju is coming back ~ hurray! I hope you would still join me on my adventures this 2015! :) Happy New Year!

What are you looking forward to this coming year?
Would love to hear from you! ♥

Like this

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Ayala Triangle Gardens Lights and Sounds Show 2014

Before the year ends, I was able to fulfill my yearly tradition of watching ATG's Lights and Sounds show. This year's show is brief and forgettable but hey, the pretty lights are worth the trip to Makati.

More photos after the cut!

HAVE AN AWESOME 2015 AHEAD! :)

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CHOCOLATE 101 WITH CHEF ROMAIN RENAUD IN SINFULLY CIRCLES

Learn to make chocolates! #ACHIEVEMENTUNLOCKED

I love learning new things (and I love chocolates!) and being able to join a Chocolate 101 class in Sinfully Circles, Shangri-La Makati was one of the most fun experience I had this year. :)

 

Talk about stoked! 

SHARKMAINE FACT: I get migraines from chocolates but that doesn't stop me from eating one.

 

 

We were taken to the basement wherein the chocolate class was held and voila ~ what surprised us was a chocolate buffet table! Sweet!

 

 

Sinfully Circles' Executive Pastry Chef Romain Renaud - this guy know his chocolates! He's truly passionate about it and he's a fun teacher!

We started off with our first chocolate treat - HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE MILKY JAM!

 

 

Chocolate-making requires a lot of patience but it will be all worth it in the end. Trust me! There were a lot of information to intake but it wasn't overwhelming as well. It just made me more excited to start making my own chocolate treats. Now, where to find an oven~

 

I'm all about that (chocolate) paste. No kiddin'

 

  

Next up was the CHOCOLATE COOKIES AND FLEUR DE SEL. I could say that this was my favorite (aside from the Nutella treat we made) ;)

 

Sweet and salty, who would've thought that they are perfect for each other. ♥ And you know what, champagne makes it a whole lot better. 

 

 

We also whipped up some LIGHT CHOCOLATE MOUSSE and HOMEMADE NUTELLA, both of which are heavenly. Also, the Nutella we made was better tasting that the ones in the market. ;)

 

Chocolate tempering - more patience necessary.

 

And believe it or not, we made our own version of the well-known chocolate treat, Ferrero Rocher.

 

Popping the hazelnut into the truffle shells

 

 

Filling it in with chocolate!

 

 

Rolling the shells in crushed hazelnuts

 

 

Letting it dry before covering it again in tempered chocolate *drools*

 

Our last creation for that afternoon were CHOCOLATE MARSHMALLOWS. I've been dying to make these again, probably next year! :)

 

 Marshmallow blocks rolled in cacao with gold powder

 

Yep! Gold! Look at my golden-laced gloves!

 

Packing them up and ready to be taken home!

 

 

The Chocolate 101 Class with Chef Romain

 

The Chocolate 101 class felt like an item ticked off my bucket list! Thank you so much, chef Romain for the wonderful time! Me and my sister (@catsmille) enjoyed so much that we kept on gushing about the chocolate treats we bought home with us. :D If you're interested to join one of Makati Shangri-la's awesome workshops, follow their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/MakatiShangrila. They offer various workshops all-year round so watch out for their announcements! 

 

 

Learn something new today! :)

What workshops do you want to attend?

 

 

 

CHOCOLATE 101 WITH CHEF ROMAIN RENAUD IN SINFULLY CIRCLES

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2015 Philippine National Holidays List Declared Today!

The list of PH nationwide holidays for 2015 is here! Time to start plotting your vacation leaves, pick which place to go and start saving up for that big adventure!

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TYPE KITA: A Typographic Exhibit for a Cause!

If you guys are following me on Instagram, my love for calligraphy wouldn't really be new to you and my new-found love for hand lettering. I'm not the best at it but I'm slowly learning and practicing! And if you're like me who loves typography, lettering and everything about it -- then you should really go and see TYPE KITA. It's a typography benefit exhibit in which the proceeds will go to the Yolanda survivors. Type Kita will be featuring lots of talented local artists, calligraphers, letterers, crafters & type-lovers.

Your Php50 admission fee will go a looooong way! So, drop by 10Alabama on March 15 & 16 and appreciate the awesomeness that is typography! 

They have lots of activities for everyone and it will surely be a lot of fun! See you guys there! :)

It had been 3 weeks since I've gone to Abbey Sy's Love, Type workshop and it sparked up the hobby. Ever since I've been trying to do some lettering every other day. :)

ETA: I just found out about now that my go-to coffee place CBTL has featured my photo on the Brew Your Best Year site! Cool beans! :P

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Hi, Hello!

Hello! I hope you guys are still around (anyone?) April and May have been very busy for me and no complaints from me. I barely have the spare time to post here but it is always on my to-do list to try to squeeze it in. So I'm pretty thankful for today's work downtime.

Watcha been up to guys?

For the past two months, I've been trying to ignite the creative spark within me that's why you can see a lot of calligraphy, rubber stamping, doodling in my instagram feed. I'm not the best at it but I'm pretty happy that I am making things with my hands again. I didn't realize sooner how much I've missed it.

I also took a break from the traveling (and I terribly miss it already) and from the writing/blogging gigs. It was a good detox. I've been blessed enough already last year and it's time to give others the opportunity. I'm hoping to get back to it eventually though. But I'm into prioritizing my blog this time. :)

I've been sick for the past 3 weeks too, down with a persistent cough. I was on an observation phase last week and it turns out I have allergic asthma. I feel quite devastated about it but I'm waiting for confirmation tomorrow. My fingers are still crossed that this isn't chronic or limiting. The past 3 weeks have been testing (a lot of food restrictions and I couldn't even stand everyday dust!), I just hope to get well very soon.

That would be it for now. :) I hope I can update soon with the past happenings (a lot happened, really!)

What's new with you?

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What To Do This 2013?

This pretty much sums up most of what I want to do this 2013. :D What about you?

Today, I was bombarded with bad news and disappointments. And making this made me feel a whole lot better. Some travel plans were canceled today and I think you guys know how it feels whenever one of your anticipated trips gets canceled. Not the best feeling at all. I had a great start to my year and then BOOM! It felt like I was just given a taste of something good and then headed straight into a pit. :(

But it also made me think, I still have 356 days to do what my heart desires and I can start again on paving ways to achieving my travel and non-travel goals. I might be behind my schedule a little but things happen for a reason and I will continue to believe that better things will come.

I think a few more will be added to my 2013 goals, but for now, the list above pretty much covers most of what I want to achieve this year. But on the top of my list, all I want is for 2013 to be happy and fun and as adventurous as the past 3 years. I want to continue to explore, discover, shoot and fall in love with a place, a food or an experience.

Hey, I guess I need to stop worrying to much. I can begin on that tomorrow.

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This is my entry for Pinoy Travel Bloggers' Blog Carnival for the month of January 2013 with the theme 'New Beginnings' hosted by Roj Braga of The Adventures of Anventuroj.

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Dear 2012, We Did Great!

Sharkmaine's 2012 in photos. 

Dear 2012,

Wow. 

The year is almost ending and looking back to what we've had for the past 360 days, it was all awesome and wonderful. Thank you for the great memories and the adventures! Cheers to you amazing 2012!

Join me as I look back to some of my 2012 adventures -- the places I've been to, the people I met, the food I tasted and everything that made it so great! :)

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Meet Me In Magalawa | DIY trip

Remember that scene in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind where Clementine whispered to Joel to meet her in Montauk? Yes, I've been thinking about it for the past weeks while I was planning my quick getaway to Magalawa.

I longed for another moment on the road. I missed the sweeping view of trees, endless concrete roads, those moments where you can drift off into nothingness and just be happy to be away. Being on the road, on a plane or threading across the waters is my kind of escape from the crazy world.

The Cancelled Trip

 All my bags are packed and I'm ready to go. Just a few hours until our 4AM departure to Magalawa, the bad news came.

We have to cancel. Imagine my dismay and disappointment. I felt like crying, hitting someone with the tripod and tent I have with me and sulk in the corner.

My spirit crashed and burned.
I guess we all know the feeling of such disappointment? Nakakadepress no?

The rest of the night was spent stress-eating (as always).

Fast forward.

Meet Me In Magalawa

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Puerto Princesa, Palawan in GoPro Hero2's Lens

All What I want for Christmas is the GoPro Hero 3.

Don't we all wish we own one, yes?

I was able to borrow one (Yeah-yuuuh!) and it is even equipped with the Wi-Fi BacPac & remote and casing! I took it with me on our family trip to Puerto Princesa last month and it was the hardest to not fall in love with it. *swoons*

Can you hear the GoPro calling out your name?

If you're someone like me who loves adventure, travel and photo/videography, the GoPro is the perfect companion for you.

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The Ayala Triangle Gardens Lights and Sounds Show 2012

Indeed. Life is really awesome. :)

It's that time of the year again!

I still remember the good memories I've had while watching the lights and sound show in Ayala Triangle Gardens ~ with my MIMS friends, my family and with D last year. The yearly lights and sound show is something I always look forward to every December (it became a tradition already) and I always wonder what their next spectacle would be. 

The Enchanting Angle

(it would be too geeky for me to explain why I've said it's an enchanting angle -__-'')

This year's show is dubbed as "Enchanting Lights and Sound Show" and features a whimsical play of lights designed by Voltaire De Jesus, accompanied with the music of Jazz Nicolas and Mikey Amistoso. I've read that they've used over 1 million (yes, million!) of LED lights on this masterpiece. 

I loved last year's show with all the ginormous stars and the dark color theme of the lights but this year has its own charm as well, I went giddy over the sparkling trees (you'll see what I mean when you see it) and the giant floating orbs! They are like big bokehs and reminded me so much of what the Oods are carrying. :D More smoke and laser effects this year and the sound mix is more fun and playful compared to last year that felt soulful. But somehow, I felt this year's production is quite short. Maybe it's just me. 

I've found out though that there is a Filipino and an English version. We've seen the Filipino show so that means I need to go back to see the other one! :)

More photos and a video coming up! 

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Food Snaps | Mercato Nights

One of my favorites from the Midnight Mercato (BGC, The Fort) are these Hakao (shrimp dumplings) from the Rice Pots (just look for the stall with stacks of dimsum baskets!)

Took a random shot and the bokeh outcome was just lovely. 

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Woohoo for Looloo!!

You may be wondering what I am recently gushing about on my twitter. I kept on mentioning the "looloo" thing. Since it is a not-so-top-secret anymore, let me introduce you to this very new and awesome app called

(Woohoo for Looloo!!)

I stumbled upon looloo unexpectedly because they were the guys who made the Fearless Foodie Guide to Kapitolyo's Best Restaurants, they got my attention because I'm exploring Kapitolyo's best that time too for When In Manila so I told them I want to join in the fun and guess what -- they invited me to be one of looloo's beta-testers! How awesome right? It was my first time to be invited so I'm over-the-top thrilled! (Thanks EJ for inviting me! You guys are awesome! I'd love to list everyone's names but I am terrible at remembering em)

So here are some photos from the beta-testers night! ;)

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Food Snaps | Lake Pandin Lunch

It was a sunny Sunday and going to Lake Pandin in San Pablo, Laguna was a good way to cap the weekend. We had our late lunch aboard a raft while slowly cruising across the lake for a fee of Php360 per person. Not a bad deal for a trip across the lake, a chance to dip in its waters and a satisfying lunch of rice paired with shrimps in coconut milk, ensaladang pako, grilled tilapia and some bananas for dessert. 

Nothing beats sipping fresh buko juice while marveling on the scenery and exchanging stories with the women paddlers of Lake Pandin.

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Eating Spaghetti with Chopsticks at Yomenya Goemon!

We Pinoys grew up with our sweet Jolly spaghetti (i admit its a guilty pleasure), but how about Japanese Spaghetti? Sounds different but interesting at the same time.

Not even everyone appreciates the original tomato-laden Italian spaghetti. So, are we up to the challenge of being adventurous when it comes to spaghetti?

Yomenya Goemon just landed in the Philippine shores late October this year, bringing us the concept of eating our spaghetti with chopsticks!

Yomenya Goemon is named after Japan's version of Robin Hood -- Ishikawa Goemon. I was a little more than amazed when I found out about it (nothing beats the joy of learning about new cultures, yes?) Yomenya Goemon started way back in 1976 in Shibuya and the rest is history.

Their first branch in the Philippines is in Greenbelt 3, Makati and we were lucky to be able to try Japanese spaghetti during their first opening week! 

I had the impression that Japanese spaghetti is more or less like ramen but with less soup/sauce. In fact, it is just really spaghetti -- al dente pasta and the works (Western ingredients), but with Japanese ingredients incorporated on it and they prepare it the Japanese way. Aside from the original menu selections (around a variety of 30 and that's alot), they also added what they call "Philippine Flavors", these are pasta dishes with Filipino ingredients (like Pork Longganisa & Broccoli). And they have seven (7) variety of pizza dishes.

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Coca-Cola Tree Lighting 2012: Open Happiness this Christmas!

We Filipinos are very happy human beings (read: people smiling in the middle of a calamity), yep, we're that tough and happy bunch and Coca-Cola celebrates that one-of-a-kind resilience and happiness we Pinoys have.

 Last November 9 was the Christmas Tree Lighting event of Coca-Cola and I was glad to be able to witness it! After all the struggle I've been through on my way to Araneta (the traffic torture in C5, the habal-habal ride), it was all worth it when the Christmas Tree was lit!

What inspired Coca-Cola's 100th year in the Philippines is how we Filipinos celebrate Christmas. I honestly believe we celebrate it uniquely (We start early in September! Beat that!), Christmas in the Philippines is all about family and sharing the happiness. Even in our smallest of ways, we always make sure that we share the Christmas happiness to everyone. The more, the happier! 

Coca-Cola wants to remind us that those small things we do to share the happiness -- matters. And the Christmas season is one of the best time to open happiness and pass it on! May it be a gift, food (I like sharing this kind!), a story, an encouragement or a hug! (And this should be done on a daily basis!)

So with that, let me share to you my adventure during the tree lighting event! :)

Always remember, the more you give, the more you will also receive! So, keep on giving! 

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Komikon 2012 Aftermath

The 8th Philippine Comics Convention or better known as the "Winter" Komikon was held last October 27 at Bayanihan Center - Unilab in Pasig City. D and I were there to join the fun, check out new comics and meet my comic artist friends! 

Remember when I said, "see you at Winter Komikon"? :)

More photos up next!

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Seattle's Best Celebrates the Hippie Holidays!

Seattle's Hippie Beetle!

Peace, Love and Merry Christmas! - Hippie Please! 

I was lucky enough to get invited to Seattle's Best Coffee's launch of their Christmas drinks and their Dream Planner last October 18. 

Christmas drinks in October? Sounds weird and too early, but what the heck! :))

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Sagada Foodtrip in Photos

Sharing with you guys some of the foodtrip photos from our Sagada adventure! :)

I forgot the name but this was from Salt & Pepper Diner. 

The chicken dish with the creamy mushroom on top = sobrang sarap! I had it for lunch and dinner! Talk about na-addict sa sarap. Haha!

Omelette and Mountain Rice from Yoghurt House

Beef Tapa and Coffee from Yoghurt House

D and I are official fans of Yoghurt House, our breakfasts are spent there. There is something so warm and fuzzy inside when you're having breakfast in Sagada. It is one of the things I miss doing there. 

Still from Yoghurt House, Banana Pancake with Yoghurt and Spicy Pork.

Banana Pancake with Yoghurt = ♥♥♥

I just wish it's cold/frozen yoghurt then it would've been pure bliss.

Spicy porkkkkk. I waaaant. There is something joyful about eating spicy food in the morning (at least for me!) :D  And the Mountain Rice that they serve - it may seem "just a scoop" but it is so heavy to the stomach that it can last you until late lunch! Mountain rice stopped me from my normal extra rice habit.

And of course we wouldn't miss the famous Lemon Pie from Lemon Pie House. Boy, it was really good.

Tangy and sweet and the custard on top melts in your mouth. *sigh* I do miss Sagada.

We also tried the buffet at the Log Cabin but I was enjoying my food too much that I forgot to take photos of the food. Lol!

How about you? What are your favorite noms in Sagada? I can't wait to go back there and try the other local dishes, try orange picking and buy blueberries! 

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More Magic at Enchanted Kingdom!

We've always known Enchanted Kingdom for where the magic is and how time flies fast, they are now celebrating their 17th anniversary for the whole month of October!! (I do sure feel old! Haha!)

The Magic is Here!!

D and I were lucky to be able to visit Enchanted Kingdom on the day of launch of their new ride called the Disk-O-Magic! The launch was scheduled later that day so we decided to enjoy the park and the rides first since they have revamped the park and its facilities as part of their 17th anniversary celebration.

A sudden timewarp to our much younger years (we are talking about highschool years fyi, we're not THAT old!)

The weather was fine that day and the sun is ablaze. I actually gave up from the heat. -__-"

I didn't have too many photos because we were too busy going around and deciding what rides to try (again!)

Passed on the Anchor's Away because we just came from lunch. I have no plans of spewing out what I just had. We were supposed to ride the Wheel of Fate but we needed to head to the press con already. *boohoo*

A confession: Never tried the Space Shuttle YET. I have had plans but I get scared because the SS didn't really have an error-free history of safety. So yeah, it had become my concern ever since. D was insistent and I already said "let's go" but the next dilemma was, who would watch over our belongings. So, maybe next time.

After a round at the Dodgem (bump cars), the Roller Skates and the Rialto, we decided to skip the rides primarily because the lines were getting long and our patience is of a fireworks' wick and the heat was starting to get unbearable.

Hello there! Y U LOOK SO HAPPY DINOSAUR?! Hahaha!!

After the press con, it was time for the Disk-O-Magic launch but too bad we have to head our way home (due to Sunday family duties).

The Disk-O-Magic!! It reminds me of the ride in Toy Story Park in HK Disneyland!

The Disk-O-Magic is a state-of-the-art and award-winning ride that is recognized by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). It uses a special seat design that allows both arms and legs to move freely for riders to enjoy the dash.

This 24-seater giant offers unique action and weightless sensation for the passengers. It starts its wild run along the trail dished section that would dart to the other side and goes back to its entry point, rocking and spinning all the while. 

We'll surely go back to Enchanted Kingdom to try the Disk-O-Magic!

You might be wondering what else is new at Enchanted Kingdom now that they are on their 17th year, Eldar (yes, I can still recall the name of the wizard mascot) lists down the 17 new reasons to visit Enchanted Kingdom!

This only means MORE MAGIC at ENCHANTED KINGDOM!!

So what are you waiting for? 17 is already a loooot of reasons for you to visit Enchanted Kingdom again! 

For more info on their new promo/events, visit the newly redesigned http://www.enchantedkingdom.ph/!

I've heard that they are hosting the 3rd Asian Sky Wizardry Fireworks Competition, so you might wanna check that out! :)

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