Kapeng Barako and Vegetarian Coffee

Somewhere along Silang --on km 53 Aguinaldo Highway -- is a quaint shop selling kapeng barako or local coffee. It's aptly called "Kapeng Barako". This is where you can find local ground coffee as well as coffee beans. They also sell decaf beans!

The owners are friendly and you only need to call out upon entering their store, "Kapeng barako please!" so they can prepare you a fresh cuppa, on the house! Now that's service!

You can also find an assortment of vegetarian coffee and "veggiemeat", cocoa tablea and powder, tea leaves, and even freshly picked tomatoes and other vegetables. I was also able to buy a tea steeper for only P150 - this sells for P279 in Robinson's. Oh, and before I forget, you will also find different brands of imported coffee, all selling for just P450. Their secret? They have relatives abroad who send them coffee and paraphernalia, thus the lower prices.

There are no places to sit so just browse around, have your free coffee and be sure to buy a pack of coffee. After all, they grow and roast their own beans, and there's nothing like locally made barako. Since the coffee is grown in their own land, the prices are hard to beat.

How to get there? En route to Tagaytay, make a right on the narrow road right across Discovery Country Suites. Make a right at the end of the road, where Amira's Buko Shop is. Be on the look out after that because the coffee shop is just around fifty meters ahead, to your right. You will also find another coffee place right beside Kapeng Barako which I haven't checked out yet. That will be our next stop.

Meanwhile, if you want to find out what else they sell before heading out to their shop, you may call Ailine de los Santos Dimapilis or Marcial Rojales Dimapilis, Jr. at 0917-738-9982.

CDR King Megamall -- the King of Bad Customer Service

I guess the title says it all -- CDR King in SM Megamall tops my list (for now) of really bad or non-existent customer service.

It is unfortunate that we can get the cheapest gadget and gadget peripherals in this store. Apparently, they do not earn enough profit to train their customer service people. It's mind boggling and downright frustrating!

Upon entering the well-lit and relatively spacious store, you look around and after a minute, realize that there is no system in place. You spot about five uniformed staff walking back and forth behind the counters, busy trying to look busy, while ignoring the countless customers wating in a non-existent queue. And here's what takes the cake...when we and other customers asked what we needed to do, they told us to fall in line! Whaaat??? Uh, last time I checked, there WAS NO LINE!

There was also a marked disinterest, almost apathy, among all of the staff to really attend to their customers' need. CDR King, what is up??? At least a queue exists in their branch in Festival Mall, no matter how long it may be. But their branch in Megamall is the pitts! They ought to pay more attention to their customers and train their staff to do a much better job.

We ended up buying some stuff we needed at another store at a higher price. But hey, that's the price we pay for better customer service.

Canon Digital Cameras at LOWER-THAN-MALL PRICES!

I love photography and digital cameras, and I found Canon models at LOWER-THAN-MALL-PRICES. Guaranteed BRAND NEW, with 1 yr. in-store warranty. If you're interested, I have some great ones for sale.

1. Canon Powershot A470 - P7,500
Mall Price: P8,495
Package/Box includes:
PowerShot A470 Body
AA-size Alkaline Battery (x2)
SD Memory Card SDC-32M
Wrist Strap WS-800
Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM
USB Interface Cable IFC-400PCU
AV Cable AVC-DC300

2. Canon Powershot A1000 IS - P12,700
Mall Price: P16,950
10.0-megapixel CCD Image Sensor
Built-in Optical Zoom Lens with Optical Image Stabilizer (IS)
DIGIC III Digital Image Processor
Enhanced Face Detection Technology
New Face Selector button
New One-touch "Easy Mode"
Intelligent ISO Speed Setting
Direct Printing and Sharing

Package/Box contains:
PowerShot A1000 IS
32MB SD Memory Card
2 AA-type Alkaline Batteries
AV Cable AVC-DC400
Interface Cable IFC-400PCU
CD-ROMs (Digital Camera Solution and User Manual)
Wrist Strap

3. Canon IXUS 80 IS - P13,700
Mall Price: P17,950 (sale P15,950)
8-megapixel CCD
New Face Detection White Balance
DIGIC III Imaging Processor
New PureColor II LCD
Motion Detection Technology
3x Optical Zoom Lens with built-in Optical Image Stabilizer (IS)
5 Tempting Camera Body Colors
AF Point Zoom
3-level Remaining Battery Power Display
Diversified Shooting Modes
High Quality Movie Clip & Time Lapse Movie Shooting
Compatible with SDHC Memory Card
40-meter Water-proof Case
Direct Printing and Sharing

Package/Box includes:
Digital IXUS 80 IS
32MB SD Memory Card
Battery Pack NB-4L
Battery Charger CB-2LVE
AV Cable AVC-DC300
Interface Cable IFC-400PCU
CD-ROMs (Digital Camera Solution and User Manual)
Wrist Strap

These high-end models are for orders only:

1. Canon IXUS 970 IS - P16,200
Mall Price: P20,495
10-megapixel CCD
New Face Color Function
DIGIC III Imaging Processor
New PureColor II LCD
Superior Optical Zoom Lens
Built-in Optical Image Stabilizer (IS)
Motion Detection Technology
AF Point Zoom
3-level Remaining Battery Power Display
Diversified Shooting Modes
High Quality Movie Clip & Time Lapse Movie Shooting
Compatible with SDHC Memory Card
Direct Printing and Sharing

Package/Box includes:
Digital IXUS 970 IS
32MB SD Memory Card
Battery Pack NB-5L
Battery Charger CB-2LXE
AV Cable AVC-DC300
Interface Cable IFC-400PCU
CD-ROMs (Digital Camera Solution and User Manual)
Wrist Strap

2. Canon IXUS 870 IS - P20,700
Mall Price: P25,495
10-megapixels CCD
New DIGIC 4 Digital Image Processor
Equipped with 28mm Wide-angle Lens
4x Optical Zoom Lens with Built-in Optical Image Stabilizer (IS)
Motion Detection Technology
Ultra-high Megapixel CCD Image Sensor
Enhanced Face Detection Technology
i-Contrast Intelligent Contrast Correction
Large PureColor II LCD Monitor
Supports H.264 Codec MOV Format Movie Shooting
Direct Printing and Sharing

Package/Box includes:
IXUS 870 IS
32MB SD Memory Card
CB-2LXE Battery Charger
NB-5L Battery Pack
AV Cable AVC-DC400
Interface Cable IFC-400PCU
CD-ROMs (Digital Camera Solution and User Manual)
Wrist Strap

I will only accept CASH payments since these are very discounted prices. Just SMS me at 0926-6333807 for details. Delivery is free within Metro Manila. Thank you!

Note: Some prices are subject to change without prior notice.

Our Malaysian Experience at Kopi Roti's

Yeah, we had two mini foodtrips at MOA today -- the second one was at Kopi Roti for a light snack. We've eaten here already, and have eaten the buns several times in different locations. We're not exactly huge fans, but the coffee buns are tasty enough and filling enough for a snack. We also ordered their cold coffee (kopi tiam in Malaysia) and cold tea with cream (teh tarek in Malaysia) for me.

The funny thing was, there were only four tables inside and the two tables next to us were occupied by foreigners. There was a family that looked like they were of Indian heritage, and they had that distinct accent we hear from Malaysians. We actually felt like we were in Malaysia again, with OFWs as the staff. Hmmm...I'm missing my sis and niece in Malaysia.

Anyway, if you want an "aunthentic" taste of the Malaysian roti, kopi tiam and teh tarek, Kopi Roti comes close.

Lovin' Ferrino's Bibingka!

Sigh...I just love food! After hearing much about Ferrino's Bibingka from a foodie friend, we finally decided to taste it at their branch in MOA. Hubby and I had it for our late lunch with some fresh fruit shake. Hubby doesn't usually like bibingka, but he actually liked this one -- surprise! We had the Super at P88/pc -- a 6-in. bibingka with some salted egg, butter and coconut shavings. I loved it! It's soft enough and tasty enough. I think I'll go back for more next time.

My Fave Frap

Just a note...I love the Christmas Dark Cherry Mocha Frap* of Starbucks! It's my favorite frappuccino now -- too bad it won't last. I hope I get another taste before it finally says goodbye. Oh, I do miss their Peppermint Mocha from the previous years.

*Photo courtesy of absolutecousins.com

I scream for Ice Cream!!!

Though we have been experiencing 18-21 degrees lately, summer is almost upon us and temperatures will rise by the second week of February. So what better way to prepare for the heat than by searching for the best ice cream brands in town!

I find myself craving for ice cream more now that I'm hitting my 40s --hmmm...the sweet tooth villain has come! So hubby and I have been trying out several brands the past months. And our top picks?

1. Blue Bunny Ice Cream - this one is available only at S&R, and through membership. Although the yearly rate could kill you at P700 for a gold member card, the ice cream alone is worth it! Of course, we also get cheap but good dog food there.

Their ice cream is super creamy and costs only P65 for 2 scoops! Now that's a bargain, considering that the Blue Bunny brand is not local. We love mint chocolate chip, blueberry cheesecake and caramel. We can't wait to try the other flavors!

2. Dairy Queen Blizzard - if it's served upside down, it must be good! We recently tried their new mint chocolate at their branch in Megamall and it is just divine! There were lots of crushed mint candies and choco chips that I just had a ball chewing. It was just soooo good and I can't wait to have it again. At P75 for the 9 0z cup, it's pretty much worth it.


3. Pagliacci, The Podium* - Just before you enter the Italian Restaurant, you will encounter their freezer containing one of the creamiest ice creams (oops! gelato!) in town. At P100 per scoop, you'd better be adventurous enough to try out their very Italian flavors like Mascarpone and Ferrero. We have so far tried their mint chocolate (yes, this flavor is a favorite, obviously), Ferrero and berry. But so far, my hands down fave is their After 8. It's rich chocolate ice cream with a hint of mint. Oooh, just the thought makes my mouth water!

4. Nestle Heaven - Upon a fellow foodie's exuberant recommendation, we had to try Nestle's newest creamy offering. We tried their Belgian Bliss flavor at P195/L. Wow! Our friend was right! It's so much creamier (60% more) than your regular local ice cream, and is filled with chopped Belgian chocolate. If you don't mind encountering several chewy, chunky and gooey stuff in your rich chocolate ice cream, then this is for you.

So, get ready for summer and start enjoying these decadent delights! I know I am!

*Pagliacci photo courtesy of Gimikainan