Filipino and Asian Home Style Dishes at Fely J’s Kitchen in Uptown Mall

 The group were hungry after an event at the Grand Hyatt hotel.  It was past 12:30 pm when we went to the Uptown mall within Bonifacio Global City or simply called (BCG) in Taguig.
Fely J’s Kitchen restaurant

We were craving for something Filipino and home cooked dishes. Fely J’s Kitchen is just located near the escalator of the mall. We decided to eat at the restaurant without thinking of other restaurants within the mall.

Fely J’s Kitchen menu board ( set meals for group )

Some of the bloggers/ vloggers are in such a hurry covering another event that they wanted to eat. Mommy Lariza lost no time in ordering set meals ( Set C) which we saw at the menu board.

Fely J’s Kitchen

Fely J’s Kitchen menu board

Fely J’s Kitchen is dedicated to the memory of Mrs. Felicidad de Jesus-Cruz, mother of LJC Group founder Larry J. Cruz, features Fely J’s treasured recipes. This is the second restaurant which opened within Metro Manila, the first one was in Greenbelt 5, Makati.

interiors

The restaurant had quite a big sitting capacity ( indoor had about 100 ) while outdoor patio area had another ( 50  patio area) with total sitting capacity of about 150 at any given time.

figurines on display

The place had a homey ambiance with several old photographs of old Manila like Binondo church, treasured family photos, books and figurines are found within the restaurant.

Our group only waited for just few minutes, the first to be serve was the ice tea followed by tokwa at baboy ( fried tofu with pork, chop onions, chop banana chilies with soy sauce and vinegar).

tokwa at baboy

Tokwa at Baboy is just like the same as those cooked in other popular Filipino restaurants. They should have added bits of fresh cilantro leaves, Nothing fancy.

seafood kare-kare

crispy pata with fried garlic as toppings , atchara and soy sauce

grilled chicken inasal with soy sauce, calamansi, fresh chilies and radish

pork sinigang

One of the first dishes to be serve is the Crispy pata with atchara and dipping sauce. This is followed with white rice, pancit canton, pork and bangus sinigang, grilled chicken inasal , seafood kare-kare with bagoong and gising gising.

sinigang na bangus

gising gising

I liked all of their dishes particularly the gising-gising which had a balance of spice, sweetness ,nicely chopped kangkong stems and bits of pork meat.  However the coconut milk ( gata ) is a bit watered down for my taste.
turon with langka and ube

We also ordered fried turon with langka and ube for dessert.group photo

40th Anniversary

LJC group  of companies which also included Abe’s Farm in Pampanga, Lorenzo’s Way, Bistro Remedios, Cafe Adriatico, Cafe Havana, and Polka Dot Bakeshop to name a few celebrates their 40th anniversary.

set meal C

The staff were quite attentive, friendly,courteous when some of us, ask them for a quick group shots from our cameras.

I will surely come back to eat their other specialties, One of my friend told me that their temple crab, braised short ribs, lumpiang sariwa, lechon kawali, binagoongang baboy are worth ordering.

Address: 2nd Floor, Uptown Mall, 9th Avenue corner 36th Street, Bonifacio Global City , Taguig City

Contact Details : 802-53-54 / 946-3676 / 0995-6539039

Operational Hours: Everyday from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm,  During Friday, Saturday and Sunday-operation can be up to 12:00 midnight

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Grand Hyatt’s Coffee Tasting Experience with Henry& Sons and Port of Mokha Launching

Grand Hyatt – Bonifacio Global City ( BGC) in partnership with homegrown coffee company’s Henry and Sons owned by the 2019 Philippine National Barista Champion Michael Harris Conlin collaborates with the coffee innovator and advocate Mr. Mokhtar Alkanshali to have the Filipinos taste the high-rating coffee from Yemen, Port of Mokha.

Coffee Exploration

The coffee tasting and launching was dubbed” Coffee Exploration ” was held the 6th floor pavilion area.

Grand Hyatt general manager

Despite the monsoon rains and overcast weather in Metro Manila, It was well-attended by coffee connoisseurs, industry practitioners, bloggers, vloggers and media.

The event started past 9:00 am with a special introduction by Ms. Karmina De Ungria ( director of Marketing Communications) and Grand Hyatt general manager BGC, Taguig City.

Mr. Micheal Harris Conlin

This was followed by a short introduction made by Mr. Micheal Harris Conlin which tells an inspiring story on how he purchased  the book with life story of Mr. Mokhtar Alkanshali. Their year long friendship and sharing of their passion over a cup of coffee.

Mr. Mokhtar Alkanshali

Coffee Tasting Experience

Mr. Mokhtar Alkanshali  shared with the participants a short history of coffee and how it spread from Yemen and Somalia to the rest of the world. He also shared that the country ( Philippines) used to be one of the top 4 coffee producing countries of the world during the 18th and 19th century.

His passion led him to visit his home country Yemen and he went through several coffee producing areas.  Out of the 21 coffee bean samples that he were able to get from Yemen, only 2 or 3 samples were of the highest international quality.

The Monk of Mokha by Dave Eggers

The event highlights about the journey of the man who risked his own life to help improve the lives of the farmers and the quality of coffee in Yemen amidst all the hardships that the country is facing. His story is filled with passion and bravery that the Philippine coffee community can draw inspiration from.

Mr. Mokhtar Alkanshali together with Mr. Raoul de Peralta

Coffee Beans

coffee with cookies

The group were given a first hand experience on how to taste different kinds of grounded coffee from Yemen.

OHE-17– Location : Outer Hyma, Process: Udaini, Altitude : 2,150 to 2,400 MASL, Cupping Notes: Dark Cherry Sweetness, Green Apple Acidity, Medium Body and Acidity.

OHSR 01– Location : Outer Hayma, Process: Natural, Cultivar : Udaini,  Altitude : 2,150 to 2,400 MASL , Cupping Notes: Brown Sugar, Spices, Medium Body and Acidity

OHE-32– Location: Outer Hayma, Process: Natural, Cultivar : Udaini, Altitude : 2,150 to 2,400 MASL, Cupping Notes: Dark Cherry, Cola, Molasses, Medium Body , High Acidity

OHE -25 – Location: Outer Hayma, Process: Natural, Cultivar : Udaini, Altitude : 2,150 to 2,400 MASL, Cupping Notes: Lime , Grapes, Medium Body and Acidity

OHSR -PB -Location : Outer Hayma, Process: Natural, Cultivar : Udaini,Altitude : 2,150 to 2,400 MASL, Cupping Notes: Winey, Toasted Almonds, Cocoa , Hint of Jack fruit, Medium Body and Low Acidity

PM- 11– Location : Hayma Sana ‘A province, Process: Natural, Cultivar : Udaini, Altitude : 2,350 MASL, Cupping Notes: Floral, Apple,Cola, Lime, Low Body, Medium and Acidity

O-HSR-24 -Location: Outer Hayma, Process: Natural, Cultivar: Udaini, Altitude: 2,150 to 2,400 MASL, Cupping Notes: Brown Spice, Nutmeg, Medium to Low Acidity and Medium Body.

Chocolate Mocha Cake

mocha cake

Grand Hyatt pastry chef had their own innovation or version with the combination of chocolate, coffee and their artistic talents in baking.

Florentine

slice of cake together with cup of coffee

Mr. Mokhtar Alkanshali together with Mr. Raoul de Peralta busy pouring coffee

The cake which cost Php 1,500 or Php 200 per slice is also best paired with coffee. One can also purchase Port of Mokha x Itogon coffee bean canister and the national best selling book ( The Monk of Mokha by Dave Eggers) for Php 8,500 net. at the Florentine area, Grand Hyatt-Manila ( Bonifacio Global City).

Philippines Won Big Award at the 13th Asia-Pacific Orchid Conference

The Philippine Orchid Society led by the Mr. Andres ” Jun ” Golamco , Mr. Fin Ramirez and Ms. Corina brought home the “ Most Artistic Landscape Display ” at the 13th Asia-Pacific Orchid Conference (APOC 2019)  held in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

The event is from July 23 to 28, 2019 . The orchid show started from July 24 to 28 while the conference was held from July 25 and 26 at the Borneo Convention Center, Kuching ( BCCK).

orchid landscape featured orchid cut-flower varieties, dendrobium, vanda hybrids, ferns, staghorn ferns, bromeliads, tillandsia among others.

13th Asia-Pacific Orchid Conference

The participating countries includes Australia, China,Ecuador, France, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, Sweden, Thailand, United States of America and the Philippines.

The 73rd mid-year Philippine Orchid Society orchid show will be held from August 30 to September 9, 2019.

Note: photo is courtesy of the APOC FB page.

11 Outstanding Youth Social Entrepreneurs Honored at Villar Sipag Institute

Villar Social Institute for Poverty and Governance [VILLAR SIPAG] spearheaded by the country’s number one senator in the recent national senatorial election, Senator Cynthia Villar.

“This is our way of supporting youth empowerment in the hope to further encourage more people as well as inspire others to significantly contribute to our goals as a nation,” Villar said.

Senator Cynthia A. Villar together with Las Piñas city councilors

Guests

Las Piñas National Science High School choir

The awarding started around past 10:00 am with solemn prayer and choir group from the Las Piñas National Science High School choir. Special guests which included the members of Las Piñas Garden Club, Zonta club, Rotary club of Las Piñas, senior citizen group, barangays, mayor of the city , councilors and immediate family members which included DPWH secretary Mark Villar, Mr. Manny Villar( former senate president and house speaker), Ms. Emmeline Aglipay Villar ( Department of Justice undersecretary) ,Congresswoman Ms. Camile Villar of the lone district of Las Piñas, Mr. Manuel Paolo Villar. President and CEO of Vista Land and Lifescapes and media.

3rd Villar Sipag trophies

This event is one of the highlights of the 14th waterlily festival held within the city.

Villar Sipag Awards

Villar SIPAG awards is currently on its third year, whose main goal is to alleviate poverty in their respective communities by means of social enterprises. Candidates for the awards are composed of groups of college or masteral students; young professionals, social enterprise groups, young businessmen, youth organizations as well as those from community organizations.

Quiniput 2h club from Zamboanga with hand made dolls

There were more than 80 youth sectors and organization from different parts of the country were initially screened during the early stages of the competition.

These were then further narrowed down to just top 20 by the evaluation committee, then there were two youth organizations which tied -in for the 10th place, hence an additional place were given.

As series of stringent evaluation and thorough screenings, the Villar SIPAG panel of judges were able to come up with the 11 finalists based on their originality, uniqueness of service/product, adaptability, sustainability and community participation.

Each awardee received trophy, certificate, cash prize of Php150,000 to further provide financial assistance to their projects and initiatives on poverty alleviation as well as a trophy.

Tanay Mountaineers Search and Rescue Incorporated members and supporters

I happen to saw an online friend Mrs. Agustiniana C. Avelino who supported and a member of the Tanay Mountaineers Search and Rescue Inc.

Senator Cynthia A. Villar together with her family

The event also serves as a pre-event birthday bash for Senator Cynthia Villar , who celebrates her birthday on July 29.

Youth Sector Awardees

This year’s recipient for the 3^rd Villar SIPAG (Social Institute for Poverty Alleviate and  Governance) Award are as follows:

Cultivators 4Hers Club of Ilocos Sur Prison Jail, Bantay, Ilocos Sur, Region 1

Quirinian Youth In-Action Isabela, Region 2

Tanay Mountaineers Search and Rescue Inc., Tanay, Rizal Region 4A

Goa Young Farmers Association, Goa, Camarines Sur, Region 5

Saving Innocent Lives Amidst War (SILAW) Inc., Leon, Iloilo, Region 6

Youth For Livable Communities, Beverly Hills, Cebu City, Region 7

Family Help Project Merida, Leyte, Region 8

Quiniput 4H Club, Zamboanga City, Region 9

Food Secure Philippines, Midsayap, North Cotabato, Region 12

Power Se7en, Butuan City, Region 13

Ulama League For Call and Guidance Inc. Manila, National Capital Region

The recent which coincides with the Villar SIPAG Awards where 11 youngsters across the nation emerged as the Most Outstanding Youth Social Enterprises at a ceremony held at the Villar SIPAG Hall in C-5 Extension, Las Pinas City.

Congratulations to all the winners of the 3rd Villar Sipag awardees from renz15.com

Opening Highlights of Cavite Food and Culinary Expo 2019

Cavite Food and Culinary Expo 2019 open with a big bang at the Isla Events place in Imus, Cavite province.

Isla Event Place in Imus

The event is well attended by students, industry practitioners, bloggers, media, local and foreign tourists who flock in droves at the event center.

Cavite Food and Culinary Expo Exhibitors

Cavite Food and Culinary Expo 2019 had about 25 stalls selling different kind of regional food, process foods, dry fish, honey , services, real estate companies, logistics and big name food companies like Mama Sita’s, Food Panda, Fantastic Sausages, Big Ben among others.

Big Ben Imus Longganisa and Heirloom Dishes stall

Big Ben Imus Longganisa and heirloom dishes is one of the must visit restaurant when you are within Imus, Cavite. Their family heirloom longganisa, tocino and adobo, sukang sasa are also exported abroad.

Mama Sita’s booth

Mama Sita is well known culinary icon in the country. Her home made recipes, spice mixture and recipe books are also distributed in many parts of the world.

Cafe Amadeo with their world re-known coffee and jacobina biscuits

native kakanins of Cavite

dried galunggong, dried salinas and dried tuyo for sale

The province is well known for her dried fish and a lot of these found their way to Metro Manila and some are brought by Filipino OFW’s abroad.

Delfa’s Food Products

Food Panda stall

Glorious Blend

Glorious Blend is slowly becoming well-known in market . Their 7 in 1 choco mix, 7 in 1 coffee blend, maxtrim and stevia sweetener are becoming staple in the market.

Fantastic sausages by Windmill gourmet

Address: Molino 4, Bacoor, Cavite province 

Contact persons: Ms. Aiza 09159031301 or Mr. Rozel Salazar 0956-3856184

The other stall includes Sweet and Fit Stevia, Cafe Amadeo,Glorious Blend, Delfa’s Food Products and among others.

Brookfield College culinary and hrm students

bangus tocino, bangus sisig, bangus siomai, bangus embotido and bangus kilawin

The event is endorsed by the local government of Imus, Cavite province, Department of Tourism and others.

There are also FREE seminars, talks , cooking demonstration, book launching, food tasting, product sampling within the three day event.

The food expo also aims to promote local food business, services and hospitality industry of the province.

Unlike other food expo, this is open for FREE to the general public until July 28 SUNDAY.