Tag: BF Homes

For Shakey’s Philippines, 2021 will be a bounce-back year

For Shakey’s Philippines, 2021 will be a bounce-back year

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It has been almost fifty years since Shakey’s first opened here in the Philippines and went on to become one of the most defining restaurants that families visit for very delicious meals, especially when it comes to pizza. Shakey’s has over 200 stores (both franchised and owned by the company) nationwide according to details posted in the Shakey’s Philippines website. Its strong presence in the Philippines was confirmed in 2015 when Euromonitor published a report showing that Shakey’s is the market leader in the categories of chained pizza full-service restaurants and in chained full-service restaurants. The results for both categories were 26.7% and 57.7% market shares.

Along the way, Shakey’s Philippines has a sibling business called Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken which has a growing number of outlets. Inside BF Homes subdivision in Parañaque City, the Shakey’s branch along Aguirre Avenue has a Peri-Peri outlet right beside it.

Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected businesses and societies in 2020. It was so severe, the Philippine economy shrank by a record 9.5%. As of this writing, a whole lot of people around the nation remain unemployed and more people fell under poverty.

The year 2021, however, will be different as far as Shakey’s Philippines is concerned. The company just announced that they will open fifteen new Shakey’s branches as well as fifteen new Peri-Peri outlets this year. These are parts of their plan to restart a store network expansion strategy that was put on hold last year due to the pandemic. Below is an excerpt from Shakey’s press release published on Philippine News Agency (PNA).

“For Shakey’s, we are looking to further strengthen the brand’s visibility and awareness, especially in underpenetrated second and third-tier cities outside of Metro Manila. For Peri, there are still a number of unserved markets which don’t have access to the brand’s great-tasting products,” Shakey’s president and chief executive officer Vicente Gregorio said.

Last 2020, the company ended with 245 Shakey’s restaurants, three of which were located abroad, and 34 Peri outlets all located in the Philippines.

It also launched a number of new offerings in select outlets including the ability for guests to ‘Park & Dine’, ‘Park & Order’, eat outdoors, and order R&B milk tea -one of the leading milk tea brands in Singapore.

“With evolving consumer habits brought about by the pandemic, our network expansion strategy has likewise adapted to ensure we maximize both our in-store and out-of-store presence. Our new openings this year will cater not only to our guests’ dine-in preference, but also their increasing need for more convenient and flexible out-of-store options,” Gregorio said.

He said Shakey’s will be unveiling a number of so-called ghost kitchens or kitchen extensions “to further strengthen our presence in delivery” at a time when off-premise channels are gaining prominence.

In the last few months, the company has been piloting a ‘31 Minute Delivery, If It’s Late, It’s Free’ guarantee in select areas in Metro Manila.

Gregorio added the company’s planned expansion this year “will come hand in hand with other exciting new business innovations that will maximize our existing asset base.”

“2021 will definitely be an exciting ‘bounce-back’ year,” he said.

As you can see in the above details, Shakey’s Philippines continues to push forward with their business and strategies even during this COVID-19 crisis. This is indeed encouraging not only for the business-minded people but also to Shakey’s many loyal customers as well as other food enthusiasts who love pizza, pasta and other meals served by the company.

In my experience, Shakey’s always serve very delicious fried chicken, mojos and spaghetti.

As Shakey’s president and CEO Gregorio stated, their company is taking steps on keeping up with the changing consumer habits and, more notably, they are making their business accessible to the consumers. In short, Shakey’s Philippines won’t allow itself to be a victim of change but rather be a part of it and keep on feeding the customers. That being said, 2021 is for them a bounce-back year.

Now that you have read this, I’d like to ask when was the last time you eat inside a Shakey’s? Have you ordered food from them lately? What is the first type of food that comes to your mind when you hear their brand?

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For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

My Observations: Sigekiya’s Haruichiban Ramen

My Observations: Sigekiya’s Haruichiban Ramen

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It has been quite some time since I last visited my favorite place for noodles here in Alabang. This is because mainly of the pandemic that started in March 2020 followed by a series of lockdown periods and varied forms of community quarantine. Along the way, I kept focusing on my corporate work and as a result of the social effects the pandemic had on local society, eating outside or having drinks at a coffee shop became much less frequent for me.

Very recently, I revisited Commercenter and, finally, I returned at last to Sigekiya Ramen which is a great place for Japanese meals, especially noodles (note: Sigekiya makes their own fresh noodles which always have nice texture and are always filling). For the newcomers reading this, I previously wrote my opinions about Sigekiya’s other meals like the Gojira Ramen, the Chicken Teriyakidon, the Yokohama Tantanmen, and my personal favorite the Tsukemen.  

Other than missing their great tasting food, I returned to the restaurant mainly to try out their latest offering – the Haruichiban Ramen.

The Haruichiban Ramen with a nice presentation!

Shortly after taking my seat inside, I ordered one Haruichiban Ramen which was priced at P300 (introductory price) and it was served to me in less than ten minutes time. It came in a regular-sized bowl which was still large in terms of containing all the content. Right from the start, the Haruichiban Ramen was hot and it had a very nice smell.

As this was my first time to have Haruichiban Ramen, I slowly examined it and noticed it had a brown looking soup with Sigekiya-made noodles under it, an entire boiled egg slashed into two, vegetables and a nice serving of pork. Everything was well prepared!

A closer look…

Then I started consuming the soup. It was delicious! To be specific, it had a strong flavor and I felt the taste of garlic. This is no ordinary soup. It’s really something made with careful mixing of ingredients with the goal of giving customers a delicious and unique experience. According to the Sigekiya waitress I talked with, the soup for Haruichiban Ramen has the taste on tonkotsu combined with miso and shoyu. Minced garlic was a key ingredient.

From that point on, I went on to consume the rest.

The noodles made by Sigekiya are always nice and filling to eat with the rest of the meal!

Ultimately, I really enjoyed Haruichiban Ramen. In fact, I love it and I would not hesitate to come back for it again in one of my future visits at Sigekiya. Haruichiban Ramen is very delicious and since it has Sigekiya’s own ramen combined with a nice serving of vegetables and the pork serving, it was easily filling. For the P300 I paid, I got great taste and satisfaction in return.

That being said, Sigekiya’s Haruichiban Ramen is highly recommended!

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

A Look Back at Wonder Woman #16 (1988)

A Look Back at Wonder Woman #16 (1988)

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Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back, superhero enthusiasts, literature enthusiasts, comic book collectors and fans of Wonder Woman! Reflecting on my previous retro comic book review, I can only imagine how disturbing it could be to me personally if there was a big event meant for a charitable purpose which gets overshadowed with the presentation making me the greater highlight.

That’s precisely what happened in Wonder Woman #15 (1988). As soon as Princess Diana/Wonder Woman arrived at the fair (which involves Myndi Mayer’s big-time publicity work and promotions) named after her (note: the Wonder Woman Fair was conceptualized for the benefit of needy children), she was astounded at first to see so many people anticipating her arrival. When she notices the gigantic poster with her image on it, she got disturbed by it.

“Look at the poster,” Wonder Woman thought to herself. “It’s almost as if they worship me! Yet I still find all this exploitation somewhat embarrassing!”

For the newcomers reading this, the post-Crisis Wonder Woman is a native of Themyscira which has a population of women called Amazons, led by her mother Queen Hippolyte. While her status among her fellow Amazons is notably very high, there are publicity gimmicks and no merchandising of her in Themyscira. Truly the world of man is vastly different to her.

To find out what happens next, let’s take a look back at Wonder Woman #16, published in 1988 by DC Comics with a story written by George Perez and the late Len Wein. Perez did the layouts while Bob Smith did the finishes.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins with people disrupted by the Silver Swan’s presence at the Wonder Woman Fair, a gala event organized on behalf of the needy children of Boston. Due to the Silver Swan’s sonic attack, the Ferris wheel begins to fall apart causing Wonder Woman to intervene and help those riding it.

As Steve Trevor successfully saved a passenger from falling to pavement, armed people (including two police officers) fired their guns at the Silver Swan who is protected by the protective shield made by her low-level humming. At another location in the fair, Maxine Sterenbuch sits by a tree tearfully agonizing over how her dear friend Valerie Beaudry became the Silver Swan all because of Henry C. Armbruster.

While in the air, Valerie realizes that it is her fault that people’s lives are in danger. Her objective was to hit Wonder Woman who proved too fast for her. Behind the scenes at a secret facility, Henry C. Armbruster tells Valerie to calm down and prepare for a level 3 force blast.

Then she screams so powerfully…

Quality

The conflict between Wonder Woman and Silver Swan is very engaging to read.

Let’s start with the writing. The story is a nice mix of superhero spectacle, intrigue and has some elements of science fiction. As a story set after Diana’s return to man’s world, it is a worthy conclusion to the events that started in issue #15. The conflict between Wonder Woman and the Silver Swan is laced with espionage and intrigue, and the arrogant Armbruster is the main force of evil behind the scenes. The spotlight on Maxine Sterenbuch was understandably reduced this time around as the conflict between Silver Swan and Wonder Woman took center stage.

As a story set after the Challenge of the Gods storyline, this comic book continues the further development of Diana as she endures the challenges of not just dealing with the people, places and events around her in man’s world but also the feelings she starts developing for one of the major superheroes of the DC universe. More on her development, Diana experiences for the first time the consequence that comes with being a celebrated figure in man’s world and she realizes that doing charity is much harder to fulfill.

When it comes to Valerie/Silver Swan, she is indeed an interesting rival opposite Wonder Woman although her lack of freedom and will prevents her from reaching her true potential as an anti-hero figure. To find out why, I urge you to read this comic book.

Conclusion

Early in the comic book…

Wonder Woman #16 (1988) is another solid post-Crisis Wonder Woman story as it further highlights a modernized Silver Swan and portrays her as an interesting form of opposition against the title character. The battle and interactions between the two are really engaging to read. As mentioned earlier, it is nice conclusion to the events that started in issue #15 and succeeds in further developing Diana as she spends more time in man’s world.

If you are seriously planning to buy an existing hard copy of Wonder Woman #16 (1988), be aware that as of this writing, MileHighComics.com shows that the near-mint copy of the regular edition costs $33 while the near-mint copy of the newsstand edition costs $70.

Overall, Wonder Woman #16 (1988) is highly recommended!

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

StaySafe.ph app formally launched by Muntinlupa City and DOH

StaySafe.ph app formally launched by Muntinlupa City and DOH

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In an effort to strengthen its COVID-19 response and contact tracing efforts, the City Government of Muntinlupa in partnership with the Department of Health recently launched the Staysafe.PH app as the official digital contact tracing system in the city and will implement a “No QR Code, No Entry Policy” in all local establishments.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, Department of Health exec Dr. Anatoly de los Santos, and other local officials led the launching event at Festival Mall Alabang this past Friday.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi personally scanned the QR code using the StaySafe.ph app at Festival Mall, Filinvest City, Alabang. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)
Mayor Fresnedi delivering his remarks during the launch event inside Festival Mall. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)

Fresnedi said the adoption of StaySafe.PH in Muntinlupa was executed in compliance with the national government’s recommendation for a uniformed contact tracing system to prevent further COVID-19 transmission, especially with the detection of the B.1.1.7. SARS-CoV-2 variant (UK variant) in the country.

Also joining the ceremony were Congressman Ruffy Biazon, City Health Officer Dra. Maria Teresa Tuliao, Filinvest Land senior vice president Joselito Santos, Committee on Health and Sanitation chairman Coun. Allan Rey Camilon, City Administrator Engr. Allan Cachuela, MultiSys Technologies Corporation CEO David Almirol, and other local executives.

Following the launch event, members of the Muntinlupa City StaySafe.Ph Task Force will conduct an city-wide inspection to ensure compliance of local public and private establishments.

Muntinlupa City Council passed City Ordinance No. 2020-181 mandating the installation and use of Staysafe.PH system as an automated contact tracing through the use of QR Codes in all commercial establishments, workplaces, churches, and government offices in the city.

All residents and visitors who will enter, work, or do business in all indoor or enclosed public and private establishments in Muntinlupa shall be required to download and register at the StaySafe.PH application and secure a unique QR Code which they can store on their phone or print for physical copy. QR Codes for non-smartphone user registrants shall be generated by their respective barangays and shall be distributed to where the registrant resides.

Under the local ordinance, all establishments in the city are mandated to designate personnel to ensure each individual who will enter their premises possesses a StaySafe.PH unique personal QR Code. All customers, visitors, and employees of the public and private establishments shall not be allowed entry unless they present their own QR Code.

Allowing other person to use an individual’s unique QR Code to gain entry into the premises of the covered establishment and intentionally registering more than once for the purpose of possessing more than one unique personal QR Code shall be prohibited. Covered establishments shall be required to transmit a copy of their digital log book to the City Health Office on a daily basis for data integration.

For non-compliant establishments, violators will be charged with P2,000 penalty and suspension of franchise or business permit until violation has been rectified for first offense, P3,000 for second offense, and suspension or revocation of franchise or business permit including a P5,000 penalty for the third offense. In case the offender is a government official or employee, the maximum penalty shall be imposed including the filing of administrative, civil, or criminal action.

Recently, the Department of the Interior and Local Government issued MC No.2020-129 enjoining local government units to use of StaySafe.PH v.2 application system as the official social distancing, health condition reporting, and contact tracing system that will assist in the government’s response to COVID-19.

As of January 28, 2021, Muntinlupa City has 64 active cases, 5,326 confirmed cases with 5,094 recoveries, 168 reported deaths, 71 suspect cases, and 389 probable cases.

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The above information was provided by the City Government of Muntinlupa for the purpose of public information and transparency. Some parts were edited for this website.

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

House of Lasagna to open new branch in BF Homes this March!

House of Lasagna to open new branch in BF Homes this March!

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Are you fond of delicious lasagna and dining along Aguirre Avenue inside BF Homes Subdivision, Parañaque City with your friends or family members? Well, you will be happy to learn that popular lasagna maker and restaurant chain House of Lasagana announced recently via social media that it will open a brand new branch in BF Homes this coming March!

The big announcement from the Facebook page of House of Lasagna.

Their Facebook announcement goes as follows: To our House of Lasagna family in the south, we heard you!!! We are finally opening a branch near you all to serve you better! We are beyond excited to bring fresher and hotter lasagnas into every home in the south! Delivery is way faster too! We can’t wait for opening day when we can all welcome you into our HOUSE in the SOUTH. We are located along Aguirre Ave. BF Homes Paranaque. See you all very soon!

For the newcomers reading this, House of Lasagna is an Italian inspired restaurant chain that first started in 2009 in the City of San Juan, established by Chef Erick Congmon. Since then, House of Lasagana expanded around Metro Manila and I personally enjoyed a delicious meal at their SM MOA branch back in 2018.

Back to the south, opening a restaurant in BF Homes brings House of Lasagna closer to the residents and food enthusiasts of South Metro Manila given the fact that the subdivision itself is connected with not only Parañaque but also with the cities of Muntinlupa and Las Piñas. Imagine how many people living in the varied villages of Alabang, BF Resort, Barangay BF Homes and other nearby populated zones would come into BF Homes for House of Lasagna which has already established its credibility of serving very delicious food that are well cooked.

In line with its business name, House of Lasagna has a fine selection of lasagnas that customers can choose from based on their taste such as beef lasagna, chicken lasagna, three-cheese lasagna, vegetable lasagna, pesto lasagna and others.

I personally recommend their beef lasagna which is of top-notch quality! Last Christmas, a friend of mine gifted me and my family with one whole beef lasagna of House of Lasagna delivered by motorcycle. I can share to you all reading this that each bite I had of the beef lasagna really tasted good and the pasta used is smooth yet firm to chew on. It was so tasty, condiments were not necessary anymore.

This is the beef lasagna of House of Lasagna that was delivered to our home last Christmas thanks to a very generous friend of mine.
A close look at my first serving of House of Lasagna’s beef lasagna.

Other than lasagna, they also sell southern-style fried chicken, spaghetti and meatballs, creamy pesto and chicken wings to name some. As if that was not enough, House of Lasagna also offers cakes and pastries!

Now that you know the news about House of Lasagna BF Homes branch, I encourage you to share this article and details to other food enthusiasts you know. On my end, once House of Lasagna announces the exact date as to when their BF Homes branch will open, I will update you all.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Gold Delight’s Coffee Crumble and Cocoflan ice cream

Gold Delight’s Coffee Crumble and Cocoflan ice cream

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Like anyone else, I enjoy consuming ice cream especially when it is very well prepared, finely formulated, has a great mix of ingredients and delivers a really great taste. Here in the Philippines, there are these three major brands of ice cream that are often available around through the groceries, the convenience stores, the community store and the like. Frankly speaking, I have grown tired of the ice cream products of those three major brands.

Fortunately and thanks to the Lord, a great alternative was realized in October 2016 when Ice Cream House opened its branch along Presidents Avenue, Barangay BF Homes, Parañaque City. On my first-ever visit at Ice Cream House, I easily noticed their wide selection of ice cream products and frozen delights under the brand called Gold Delight. Subsequently, I revisited Ice Cream House BF Homes branch again and again taking home pints or half-gallons of their ice cream which are all delicious. Members of our household as well as some friends and guests all found Gold Delight ice cream tasty and nice.

The BF Homes branch of Ice Cream House unfortunately shut down as a result of the pandemic and the community quarantine that followed which brought down the economy. The same thing happened also to the Ice Cream House branch along CAA Road in Las Piñas City. Fortunately for ice cream enthusiasts of South Metro Manila, there is one vendor selling Gold Delight ice cream and frozen delights in Las Piñas City (call 0915-4606505) located across a certain college there. And here is the real deal on acquiring Gold Delight ice cream products – the Ice Cream House company is accepting orders online and they actually deliver the products to the customers! Visit their Facebook page to see the steps and details.

This brings me to the topic of this article. Thanks to the Ice Cream House company for fulfilling my orders and successfully delivering all the way from Quezon City to Alabang, my family enjoyed the Gold Delight ice cream in HGs and pints. For this article, the spotlight is on two notable flavors of Gold Delight ice cream – Coffee Crumble and Cocoflan.

Coffee Crumble

Coffee is very popular here in the Philippines, specifically in its hot form. Coffee also made its way into ice cream locally although there is not much variety of it. There is one particular major ice cream brand that has offered coffee crumble ice cream for a long time and I personally got tired of that. That being said, Gold Delight’s coffee crumble ice cream is so much better than that of the major brand!

Firstly, the coffee blended by Gold Delight alone has stronger flavor compared to that of the major brand. Secondly, there is a sufficient amount of chocolate chips which not only add to the already good coffee flavor, but also ensures crunches for each bite. In other words, the chocolate chips really add to the crumble factor of Gold Delight’s coffee crumble ice cream! Thirdly, the sweetness of it all is pretty satisfying to my taste. Gold Delight’s coffee crumble ice cream is very delicious and I highly recommend it!

Cocoflan

What is Cocoflan? Literally speaking, it is the combination coconut milk and the Philippine delicacy of leche flan. This is, in my opinion, the most unique ice cream ever made by the Ice Cream House company and the good news here is that it is very delicious.

For one thing, there is not enough ice cream products here in the Philippines that make good use of coconut milk. Coconut milk is unique with the way it is sourced and prepared, and has nutritional benefits. That being said, coconut milk gives Cocoflan a unique and nice flavor. Adding more flavor in the same ice cream are pieces of leche flan which are spread randomly from the top to the bottom. Cocoflan is not only very delicious, but also has a very unique taste that really makes it stand out among all ice cream being sold here in the Philippines. As such, it is highly recommended.

Conclusion

If you love ice cream with the taste of coffee or coconut milk or leche flan, or if you simply love very delicious ice cream regardless of brand, you should go for Gold Delight’s Coffee Crumble and its signature Cocoflan. Take note that these are just a few of the many flavors of ice cream that the Ice Cream House company is offering

If you are curious for more or if you really want to order Gold Delight ice cream from Ice Cream House, contact them at mobile phone number 09190091543 or visit them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/icecreamhouseph

Be aware that they are accepting orders through their Facebook page via FB Messenger and you can avail of their order form for you to fill up. Payments can be done by GCash, Pay Maya or bank transfer through BPI, BDO or PNB. Orders successfully processed can be delivered to you within 1 or 2 days.

If anyone of you reading this love ice cream, let me ask you the following key questions: What is your favorite flavor of ice cream right now? What do you look for in ice cream? When was the last time you switched from a major ice cream brand to a lesser-known ice cream brand? You may answer in the comments section below.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

HOT STAR Large Fried Chicken in Alabang

HOT STAR Large Fried Chicken in Alabang

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If you are looking for fried chicken to eat here in South Metro Manila, there are plenty of places to find them such as Jollibee, KFC, Popeyes and McDonald’s among the many restaurants. You can even find fried chicken meals served in convenience stores like Ministop, 7-Eleven and FamilyMart. Rest assured the mentioned business joints provide a lot of fried chicken whenever you are in Las Piñas, Parañaque and Muntinlupa.

There is one food joint that stand out among them all – HOT STAR Large Fried Chicken Philippines. With its newest branch located inside Festival Mall in Filinvest City, Alabang, HOT STAR is making a comeback here in South Metro Manila. Previously they had a branch along Presidents Avenue, Barangay BF Homes in Parañaque City and I ate there a number of times while they lasted. That particular branch closed down a few years ago so it was nice to see them open a new one in Alabang (note: their space is shared with Dakasi).

The commercial space of HOT STAR with Dakasi.

For the newcomers reading this, the HOT STAR business started in Taiwan and has overseas branches. They are best known for selling the 12-inch fried chicken which has a nugget-like shape but really large and quite filling.

At their Festival Mall branch, I had two stops there. The first time I was there, I joined the line to order myself a meal composed of their signature 12-inch fried chicken (referred to as the Signature XXL Chicken), rice and a drink. When asked for what type and what flavor the chicken should be, I chose the original type flavored with salt and pepper. Soon enough I got served and went to a vacant table.

The 12-inch signature fried chicken of HOT STAR.

Looking at the 12-inch original, salt-and-pepper fried chicken, it really was exactly as I remembered what was served to customers at the previous branch in BF Homes. It was also a bit challenging to cut into pieces given its formation and texture, so there were moments when I had to take the chicken by hand and pull it apart before trying to cut it into pieces with the plastic utensils.

As before, the 12-inch signature fried chicken is pretty tasty on its own. It was tasty enough, I did not bother to use any condiments. What is also notable about it is that it sure has a lot of content of chicken meat to consume. In fact, it was more than enough to fill the stomach. While this might sound unusual to you, this is pretty normal given my previous dining experience at HOT STAR BF Homes. That being said, I had a tasty and really satisfying meal there at HOT STAR Filinvest.

A few weeks later, I returned to the Festival Mall branch mainly to take home one of their newer foods – the Cheese Bomb. After driving home with the chicken from the mall, I got home and placed it on a plate.

This is what the Cheese Bomb looks like on the outside.

On the surface, the Cheese Bomb fried chicken has a different shape compared to the signature fried chicken. It looked ordinary on the outside but it is the cheese content inside the makes the big different not only in terms of content but also on flavor. As I ate the Cheese Bomb, I really felt that fine combined taste of fried chicken and cheese in my mouth and it only made me want to keep consuming until it all ran out. I got my money’s worth.

The cheese of Cheese Bomb exposed.
A closer look at the Cheese Bomb. The cheese itself is tasty.

To put it in short, I can say that the 12-inch signature fried chicken and the Cheese Bomb were both well cooked by HOT STAR Festival Mall and were properly prepared. It is notable that the two fried chicken variants were pretty flavorful respectively which shows that the cooks made them with the utmost care for me. As such, I highly recommend the 12-inch signature fried chicken and the Cheese Bomb to anyone who loves fried chicken. I got my money’s worth and so should you.

So if you happen to be in the Alabang area and you crave for fried chicken, you should visit HOT STAR at Festival Mall. They are on the ground floor level of the mall. Keep in mind that HOT STAR has several other types of food to offer such as spaghetti, rice bowl meals, burgers and fries, and chicken wings to name some. HOT STAR is a standout among the sellers of friend chicken here in South Metro Manila.

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For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to distorted views, NO to reckless publishers, and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila-related community developments, engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, visit and join the South Metro Manila FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Hope Alive Conference by New Life Church on December 11 and 12, 2020

Hope Alive Conference by New Life Church on December 11 and 12, 2020

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Are you looking for an event online to deepen your faith in the Lord and adjust yourself accordingly? If you are seeking such an event, then you should know that the Hope Alive Conference soon to be organized by New Life Church is all set to happen on December 11 and 12, 2020 online.

The good news here is you still have time to prepare for it.

Hope Alive Conference will be held online on December 11 and 12, 2020. (credit: Hope Alive PH and New Life Philippines)

To put things in perspective, the Hope Alive Conference is an online event that will bring words of fresh hope right in the comfort of your home. There will be pastors who will speak out the Word of God and share their insights about Christianity. The activities will be streamed live through Facebook and YouTube. You simply should look for New Life Philippines’ channels to avail of the livestreaming.

Day 1 of the conference is on December 11. There will be a morning online rally set for 10AM local time with pastors Paul and Shoddy Chase (the founder and senior pastors of New Life Church) leading it. On the evening at 7PM is another online rally led by pastor Lawrence Lim of the New Creation Church based in Singapore.

Day 2 of the conference on December 12 will see the morning online rally at 10AM which will be led by pastor Chad Mansbridge of the Australia-based Bayside Church. The evening rally set for 7PM will be led by New Life Philippines lead pastors Jocel and Mylene Evangelista.

The Hope Alive Conference will mark the culmination for the campaign to share hope, speak hope and give hope to those who seek it during this time of pandemic. It will also provide troubled Christians inspiration, enlightenment and the holiness of the Lord that they need.

You still have time to prepare for the conference and you can start by visiting  https://www.facebook.com/events/1449121155478971/

Once the Hope Alive Conference finally happens, be sure you have good Internet connection, your mobile device or your personal computer fully operating (with the Facebook and YouTube apps already running), and you have your notebook, your pen and the Holy Bible with you. For the faithful reading this, always keep on being the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus! Take part in the Hope Alive Conference!

Note: Images here are properties of Hope Alive PH and New Life Philippines.

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For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to distorted views, NO to reckless publishers, and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila-related community developments, engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, visit and join the South Metro Manila FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Skyway Extension Project completion delayed to early 2021 due to accident in Muntinlupa

Skyway Extension Project completion delayed to early 2021 due to accident in Muntinlupa

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Were you among the many who got caught in slow-moving, heavy traffic along the northbound lane of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) heading towards Muntinlupa this past Saturday? On the morning of November 21, a tragic accident happened that effectively delayed the completion of the Skyway Extension Project from December 2020 to February 2021.

According to a PTV News report, a steel girder from the Skyway Extension Project fell down at the East Service Road in Barangay Cupang, Muntinlupa City, which was caused by the crane (of project contractor EEI Corporation) that fell on its side as it moved to its next position. According to a Manila Bulletin report, the steel girder fell on several vehicles causing the death of motorcyclist Edison Visaga Paquibot and injuring others.

A view of the tripped crane. (photo source – Muntinlupa City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office)

The local police stated that the vehicles that got damaged by the steel girder include a Mitsubishi Adventure, a Toyota Vios taxis, a Hyundai H100, a Suzuki Raider motorcycle, a Yamaha Mio motorcycle and a Honda Beat motorcycle. The casualties were rushed to different hospitals for emergency treatment. Unsurprisingly, traffic along the East Service Road had to be closed off temporarily which complicated the flow of traffic.

Today, as published through the Facebook page of the City Government of Muntinlupa, San Miguel Corporation President and CEO Ramon S. Ang issued a personal apology and assured victims of the mishap that they will receive help. The published apology reads as follows:

Following the freak accident at the Skyway Extension project site in Cupang, Muntinlupa  over the weekend, the head of concession holder San Miguel Corporation (SMC) issued an apology to the victims and assured them  that the company would make sure all their needs would be taken care of, and more.

SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon S. Ang said that even while project contractor EEI Corporation was the one handling the construction of the project, as project proponent, SMC has a responsibility to take care of the victims.

“Even with a contractor handling construction, ultimately, we are responsible for the welfare of those who were affected. I would like to personally apologize to the victims and their families, as well as to our larger community in Muntinlupa,” Ang said.

The accident, reported to have been caused by a crane that tipped over as it moved into position, which then hit a steel girder causing it to fall on six vehicles, resulted in one fatality and four injuries.

“This terrible and tragic accident has affected me in ways I can’t even begin to express. I have not stopped thinking about the people who were affected, the four that were injured and most especially, the person who perished, and his family. There are no words that can ease the grief of losing a loved one,” Ang said.

“To the family, I can only offer my sincerest and deepest condolences, and my personal assurance that your family will be taken care of. To those who were injured, please be assured we will provide all the means necessary for you to recover and restart,” he added.

Ang also vowed that the incident will be investigated thoroughly, and that SMC and its contractor EEI will make sure even stricter measures are in place at the project site.

“In a project of this magnitude and scale, there are many redundant safety measures in place.  Unfortunately, we can’t predict every outcome, and I’m sure no one wanted this to happen,” Ang said.

“Regardless, we are working with authorities to determine the root cause of this incident. We will find out where lapses occurred and do whatever is necessary to help make sure they don’t happen again.”

Source: SMC Media Affairs

One of the many vehicles that got damaged badly by the fallen steel girder. (photo source – Muntinlupa City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office)

For its part, contractor EEI management made assurances that they will take care of all the needs of those who were affected.

At this point of time, motorists who planned to travel north via the Skyway Extension Project will either have to wait until February 2021 or adjust their travel plans.

Come back here for the next update about the Skyway.

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For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to distorted views, NO to reckless publishers, and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila-related community developments, engagements, commerce, interactions and other relevant updates, visit and join the fast growing South Metro Manila FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Muntinlupa City on blue alert for Severe Tropical Storm Ulysses, barangays urged to conduct preemptive evacuation

Muntinlupa City on blue alert for Severe Tropical Storm Ulysses, barangays urged to conduct preemptive evacuation

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Following the raising of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 in Metro Manila, the City Government of Muntinlupa is on blue alert status as the city monitors and prepares for Severe Tropical Storm Ulysses.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi ordered the Muntinlupa City Department of Disaster Resilience and Management (MCDDRM) to heighten monitoring, mobilize available resources, and prepare for a full scale response operation. Fresnedi convened the Local Disaster Risk Response and Management Council (LDRRMC) on Tuesday to discuss the City Government’s preparation and response efforts.

MCDDRM chief Erwin Alfonso urged Barangay Disaster Risk Response and Management Councils to conduct immediate pre-emptive and forced evacuation of communities in coastal areas identified as flood-prone and landslide prone areas.

The City Government has prepared the prepositioning of emergency response resources and equipment such as rescue boats, generators, emergency vehicles, search and rescue equipment, among others. Alfonso advised the public to be vigilant and monitor advisories from PAG-ASA and the City Government.

Recently, the local disaster response department installed early warning system across the city to inform communities in a timely manner about typhoon signal warnings, severe flooding, and earthquakes, among others.

Muntinlupa Scholarship Program has announced the postponement of scholarship allowance distribution for students of Soldiers Hills Elementary School, Lakeview Integrated School (Elementary, High School), Muntinlupa Elementary School, and Bayanan Elementary School (Unit 1) on November 11 – 12 as a precautionary measure.

According to the latest weather bulletin of PAGASA as of 8:00 AM, November 11, Severe Tropical Storm “Ulysses” is nearing Typhoon category within the next 6 to 12 hours and reach its peak intensity of 130-155 km/h prior to landfall.

On the forecast track, Severe Tropical Storm “ULYSSES” will move generally westward throughout pass over Polillo Islands, mainland Quezon and crossing mainland Luzon going to the western seaboard of Central Luzon.

Heavy to torrential rains over Metro Manila, including Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, CALABARZON, Aurora, Bulacan, Pampanga, and Bataan are expected from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday morning.

For emergency concerns, Muntinlupa City residents may reach the city’s hotline at 137-175.

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Latest City Government of Muntinlupa details sourced from their official media release. Some parts were edited for this website.

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to distorted views and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, engagements, commerce and updates, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673