Though not easy to find, Fat Smoke is definitely worth the hunt. Situated in a corner along BF Resort Drive just past Central, Fat Smoke may not be easy to spot but once you find it and dined there, you'd never forget the place.

It was a friend of mine who introduced this place to me. She said that it served really good ribs which didn't impress me because I'm not a fan of ribs in the first place. However, M and my Mom is so off we trooped to give this place a try.


The place is small. At most, it can accommodate 20 people max. However, it did not feel cramped which is good because no matter how awesome a place is, once it feels cramped, it destroys the experience.


This is their menu and the price is surprisingly fair.


We tried the half slab of the Grade 4 Wagyu Beef Ribs and the half slab of the Pork Ribs. I initially had misgivings if this plate was good enough for 5 people since we had two guys with us who had big appetites but lo and behold, we even had a few leftovers.

The beef is truly Grade 4 Wagyu because it was so easy to chew. It was so soft that it could melt from the bone but what was amazing about it was that it did not turn into a pile of meat. It held on but it was so tasty and soft. My Mom loved it and she's super picky when it comes to meat.

The pork ribs were equally good. When we asked the chef, he told us he cooks this for at least 10 hours which explains why the meat was so tender. 


The Nachos was gone in an instant. The veggies used were fresh and the cheese and beef toppings, abundant. I didn't feel ripped off.


The Onion Rings were cooked quite thickly but not in a bad way. It was still crunchy and B enjoyed it. Since I'm not a fan of this type of onion rings, I let him have the whole plate.


The chicken wings were also more than good. Crunchy, not spicy, and the meat, not bland at all. The cheese topping just gave it more oomph.


Fat Smoke turned out to be a really awesome surprise. My Mom loved the place, M wouldn't talk anymore while eating, and everyone went home with a really full stomach.

What truly impressed me though was that the chef and owner was this young kid who was only 23 years old.


We used to have to go to a mall whenever my family craves ribs but now, we don't need to. We found a hidden gem inside BFRV and we're definitely going back for more.

Though not easy to find, Fat Smoke is definitely worth the hunt. Situated in a corner along BF Resort Drive just past Central, Fat Smoke ...

A lot of people who live within BGC or the North feels apprehensive about Binondo.

It's too far.
It's too crowded.
What if I get lost?
What if I get mugged?
I don't know where to eat!
I don't know what to order!

These are some of the very common excuses or reasons people have. Though they want to try authentic Chinese dishes, they are not too willing to venture out of their comfort zone.

Friends and Family by Raintree Restaurants understand this which is why they decided to bring a Taste of Chinatown right in the heart of Bonifacio Global City. It is located at Bonifacio High Street Central, 7th Avenue, BGC.


Located at the heart of BGC. Friends and Family is known for their Filipino dishes but one bite was all it took for me to believe that Chinese cuisine is definitely in their blood as well.

Here are some of the dishes that you cannot pass up when you drop by to have a Taste of Chinatown.


This is seriously one of the best honey lemon chicken that I have ever tasted. I'm very particular with my lemon chicken but this was one simply hit the spot. The chicken skin was crunchy, the lemon just the right taste of tangy, and the chicken was just oh so good! Price is Php295.


This is the Maki and Kiampung Combo. This costs Php350 and it's definitely a meal that would sit nicely in your stomach, ensuring you stay full for at least a few hours.

The Maki soup is served with a single portion of kiampung rice topped with Chinese sausage, omelet, peanuts, pickled mustard greens, and thinly-sliced pork humba which guarantees that you will be burping by the end of the meal.

Remember to request for the Black Vinegar to maximize the taste of the maki. It's always better to have maki with black vinegar.


The Crab and Corn Egg Drop Soup which is already good for 2 comes topped with wonton threads. I loved how this just feels so good the moment it hit my tongue.

I could taste the corn, the egg, and even the crab. They definitely did not scrimp on the ingredients. This one is only Php175.


The Sweet and Sour Bola Bola which costs only Php275 reminds me of the old Chinese stalls in Binondo that sell the same dish. The sauce was spot on and the bola bola, always comfort food. 


Once you're done consuming everything, make sure you leave room for their 3 kinds of Buchi. Trust me on this.


It comes in Peach Almond (this was okay for me,) Salted Egg Cheese Dulce (this was amazing!) and Flat Tops which is my all-time fave because of the contrast between the sweetness of the chocolate and the taste of buchi made it a must-try.

Taste of Chinatown launches today so if you're staying in the city, make sure to drop by BGC's Friends and Family to have really good Chinese food in the heart of Taguig.

A lot of people who live within BGC or the North feels apprehensive about Binondo. It's too far. It's too crowded. What if I get...

Real estate is always one of the biggest indicators if a market is thriving well or not. If real estate is doing well, it means that people have money to invest in land which would mean that jobs are abundant and people have spending power.

This is why The Outlook Philippine Real Estate Conference was such a big deal. They forecasted trends, talked about the strength of the market, the areas for improvement, and how the market can use digital to make it even better.


On October 17, 2019, Lamudi successfully held The Outlook Real Estate Conference 2019 at the Makati Shangri-La, bringing together industry thought leaders from all over the country to talk about the hot topics in the Philippine real estate sector.

The Outlook: Philippine Real Estate Conference 2019, with co-presenters Philippine Daily Inquirer Property and Holcim Philippines, provided an avenue for insightful discussion spanning a wide range of topics from sustainability to alternative ways of investing in real estate.

The major sponsors for the event are the International Workplace Group and SMDC, and the official TV partner is Cignal TV. The Outlook Conference has also teamed up with event partner Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA), and media partners Philippine Daily Inquirer Property, Business Mirror, Business World, Malaya Business Insight, Manila Standard, and Philippine Star.
The Role of Developers in Making the Philippines More Sustainable

The Outlook Conference started strong with its first track, “Taking Sustainable Action: Addressing Climate Change Through Real Estate,” where moderator Cathy Saldaña, Managing Director of PDP Architects, steered the conversation into a topic dear to her heart. The panel revealed that though different companies are already pioneering efforts to use solar energy, waste management, and water recycling to be more sustainable, there is a need to adopt a more global, top-down approach to initiate change that will last.


The panelists for this track were Cecilia Domingo, Vice-President and Head of Meralco; Gian Carlo Valerio, Chief Executive Officer of Solana Land; Ram Maganti, SVP for Marketing and Innovations of Holcim Philippines Inc.; and Gay Santos, a financial inclusion specialist/advocate.

The Philippines is blessed with sun and rain, Saldaña noted, both of which can be harnessed as sources of energy. Maganti also mentioned the scarcity of fresh water, prompting the company to use recycled water as part of their sustainability efforts. Domingo talked about the residential and commercial efforts started by Meralco and its subsidiaries, from solar panels to e-sakay as an initiative. According to Domingo, the Meralco compound has already banned single-use plastic, and are active in tree-planting initiatives for carbon reduction.
Real Estate Marketing for a Younger Market

The second track, “New-Age Customer Experience: Transforming Real Estate Marketing in the Age of Disruption,” moderated by Deborah Ong, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Lamudi, explored the role of disruption in shaping a new breed of real estate clients along with strategies that should be adapted to thrive in this new consumer environment. The panel discussed the “end” of the mall to give way to online shopping, and how this prediction years ago failed to take into account the adaptability of Filipinos to change. What could have ended an industry sparked disruption, giving rise to the changes in the way people do business and how consumers consume.

The panelists for this track were Thomas Mirasol, General Manager of Federal Land; Marco Antonio, President & CEO of Century Properties; Tek Samaniego, Property Editor of Philippine Daily Inquirer Property; Jose Soberano III, CEO of Cebu Landmasters; and Eugene Lozano, First Vice President for Sales and Marketing for Megaworld Corporation.

Lozano, who has witnessed the transition from traditional to digital marketing, said there is now a focus on Google Analytics. To successfully implement these changes, Lozano mentioned the importance of informing key people in the team. “We’ve been very busy re-training, providing lectures and materials to different key people just to keep up with the digital transformation of marketing strategies nowadays.”

“The consumer today is more demanding,” Ong noted.

“And they really want to get their money’s worth,” Samaniego added.
Uncovering New Real Estate Sales Strategies

“Fresh Perspectives: Mapping Evolving Real Estate Sales” was moderated by Bhavna Suresh, Chief Executive Officer of Lamudi. The third track leaned towards preparing the sales team for new business models, strategies, and practices that improve how real estate is offered to customers. The panelists mentioned the importance of likability and trustworthiness, the human touch, malasakit, and thinking beyond after-sales.

The panelists were David Rafael, President & CEO of Aboitiz Land; Beth Ventura, President of Anchor Land Holdings, Inc.; Ricardo Lagdameo, First Vice President of Damosa Land; and
Raphael Felix, President of Phinma Properties Inc. and Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA).

Rafael admitted to wondering about the future of real estate. “Will we ever reach a point where people would buy property the way they buy food from Foodpanda or they buy a shirt from Lazada?”

Upon pondering, however, Rafael has come up with an answer: “At the end of the day, the human person buying property will really still need to talk to a human person.”
Startups and Their Exploration of the Sharing Economy

“Paradigm Shifts: Exploring the Sharing Economy in Philippine Real Estate” explored the changing Philippine conditions and the rise of startups that have led to the growth of the sharing economy. Eric Manuel, of Arch Capital Management, moderated the track, which discussed the commute as a major pain point for residents who eventually decide to move to co-living spaces. The very young population of the Philippines wants to be measured by their performance, not their timesheet.  Co-working spaces, on the other hand, allow young professionals to expand their network.


The track’s panelists were Jelmer Ikink, Group Director of MyTown; Nick Padilla, Co-founder, CEO & Space Captain of Kahon.ph; Paul Rivera, Co-Founder & CEO of Kalibrr; and Lars Wittig, Country Manager Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, S. Korea for International Workplace Group.

Shared spaces answer the tenants’ need to escape the commute. Ikink further noted that the future of work, especially its definition, will change over time and to address this, they are working towards a zero-commute lifestyle. This means working, living, and all amenities will be in the same space. 
Choosing Investments: From POGO to Property

“Changing Face: Uncovering Alternative Ways to Invest in Real Estate” zeroed in on the drivers of investor demand, the new investment opportunities available in the market, and how the market can tap into these to encourage a robust real estate economy. The moderator, Cignal TV’s news anchor Danie Laurel, asked about the viability and sustainability of POGO as an investment. Panelists also recommend diversifying as a smart way to invest.

The fifth and final track’s panelists were Richard Raymundo, Managing Director of Colliers; Mikko Barranda, Associate Director of Leechiu Property Consultants Inc.; Iluminada Sicat, Assistant Governor of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas; and Noel Rapadas, Senior Vice President and Chief Finance Officer of Torre Lorenzo.

Sicat presented an interesting fact that will help guide investors in diversifying their portfolio: “We did an assessment of the impact of POGOs on the price of our residences. There was a sudden increase in the price of rent, but if you look at the net contribution of POGOs, it’s not that big, actually.”

Raymundo also noted that if POGOs did not come, “the rents would have corrected anyway.”

Rapadas mentioned that there is still a long way to go for these kinds of investments to be sustainable. He urged investors to look at what drives prices up, and suggested following a fixed plan to see growth. Rapadas also said that despite the increase in the prices of real estate, the Philippines is still relatively cheap compared to other places for investment in Asia.
Projects Shaping the Filipino Community
Keynote speaker Vince Dizon, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), shared the plans for New Clark City as part of the Build, Build, Build program. New Clark City is planned to be the Philippines’ first smart, green, and resilient metropolis.

The Outlook Real Estate Conference also gave a platform to Virlanie Foundation, a private, non-profit and non-sectarian organization reaching out to marginalized children and communities in the Philippines. Lamudi and Virlanie launched a partnership program, Cherish-A-Home Fundraising, to help the disadvantaged, abused, neglected, and abandoned children through in-kind and cash donations that will improve their quality of life in any of the foundation’s eight homes. 
The Outlook Conference: Future Forward

Lamudi’s The Outlook: Philippine Real Estate Conference 2019 gathered real estate thought leaders to share their insights on the pressing topics facing Philippine real estate today. The event leads up to Lamudi’s Outlook Awards: The Philippine Buyers’ Choice Property Awards scheduled on November 14, 2019, at the Makati Shangri-La, where property developers from all over the Philippines gather to celebrate the outstanding achievements that shaped the country and steered it to a greener future.





The winners of the awards are determined by a panel of judges and a survey involving 10,000 active property seekers.

To know more about The Outlook Awards 2019, head to lamudi.com.ph/outlook2019.

Real estate is always one of the biggest indicators if a market is thriving well or not. If real estate is doing well, it means that people ...

Ever since I was introduced to HMR a few years ago, it has been one of my favorite go-to places when I just want to scour and be surprised. You see, when you go to HMR, you never really know what you can expect.

I've personally gotten a cat tray, some awesome candles, board games at really cheap prices, and kitchen items at 1/4 of the normal price. I've seen almost anything that you can sell at HMR but I never knew that you could also buy a car.


HMR Auto Auction’s is opening the Philippine’s biggest purpose-built auto auction facility; providing a one-stop-shop for buyers to bid on a huge range of premium used vehicles, at heavily discounted prices.

Currently, on its soft opening, HMR Auto Auction held another auction last Saturday, October 26 showcasing over 150 motorcycles, 8 trucks, and 100+ cars all for live public bidding.

The Grand Opening auto auction will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2019 and this will also celebrate HMR Auto Auction’s 3rd-anniversary sale. An event not to be missed!

The Grand Opening will feature over 200 used vehicles, including compacts, sedans, MPV’s, Pick Up’s, SUV and light commercial trucks. All from premium brands.



To celebrate the milestone, HMR Auto Auctions provided plenty of giveaways, promotions and prizes up for grabs for the whole family.


HMR also launched its brand new finance partnership, which will offer affordable finance options for buyers, making the bargains of auction available to more buyers. HMR has worked with a top- tier bank to ensure the process is simple, quick and value for money.

Samuel Powell, the CEO of HMR Auctions commented: “We (at HMR Auto Auctions) are pleased to have reached this milestone in our journey, and are humbled by the confidence which the public has placed in our services over the past three years.

Our mission was to provide an affordable, transparent and customer-focused experience for buyers of used vehicles. With the opening of our new purpose-built facility (in Bicutan) we will be able to grow upon the success of the past and pave a way towards the future. Our new affordable finance options will allow even more people to experience the thrill and the benefits of our live public auto auctions”.

Ever since I was introduced to HMR a few years ago, it has been one of my favorite go-to places when I just want to scour and be surprised. ...

When planner season comes in, people tend to go a wee bit crazy in drinking up that 18 beverage requirement Starbucks has to get your hands on those 2020 Philippines Starbucks Planner.

However, there is so much more to the planners that you can be excited about when November 2 hits. Here's a quick rundown of things you can look forward to this 2020 Christmas Season.

THE BEARISTAS 

I personally wanted to cry because I know that I will be saving up really hard to get these 4 bearistas. The first pair which will be available in December in time for the 22nd anniversary of Starbucks are adorned in the traditional Singkil outfit which hails all the way from Mindanao. Don't they look gorgeous? 


The next pair is Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus bearista version. I think that they are also pretty adorable and a must have if you are collecting Starbucks Bearistas.


THE CARDS

There are several cards that will make the collectors of Starbucks cards really happy. First, they have now switched from plastic to PAPER CARDS. 


They will also be releasing 2020 Holiday Heritage Edition which I can't wait to get my hands on.


They will also release their annual New Year Card.


And finally, here are the 3 new Holiday Cards. All of these are available for activation of Php300. These three cards will be available starting November 2.


 THE DRINKS

This year, Peppermint Mocha and Toffee Nut will be back. Thank God for that. Now since Starbucks is feeling a bit extra, there will be not one but TWO more additional drinks.


This is the Starbucks Wishing Star Dark Mocha and below is the Holiday French Vanilla Latte. Personally, I'm really excited to try this drink out because I love Vanilla Latte.


THE MERCHANDISE 



Here's a sneak peek at what will be available for this year.

Here's what I plan to have when everything hits.


This double-walled siren tail is a definite must-have!!!  From what I know, there will be only 1,000 pieces of this sold so I gotta make sure that I get my hands on it asap.


Here's moi being so happy to be reunited soon with the red cup.


My swag from today.


What are you most excited about?

When planner season comes in, people tend to go a wee bit crazy in drinking up that 18 beverage requirement Starbucks has to get your hands ...

I kept seeing photos of this ice cream brand popping on my feed. It's called Aice and based on the little that I know, it comes from Singapore but was distributed in Indonesia.


I finally chanced upon it when I went for a stroll inside our village. I was lucky enough to buy 11 flavors and really try all of it, one by one.


Here's my verdict on each one.


The Semangka or watermelon is very refreshing. It reminds me of the popsicle sticks that I've had when I was younger.  The Milk Melon can definitely give Melona a run for their money and at the price that it's being sold, Melona must be shaking now.

The Mango is really good and actually tastes like one. I couldn't wait for my Mom to taste it because she's a big fan of mangoes. I honestly think she will love this. A lot of people like the corn flavor and have been raving about it but I personally did not like the sweet corn flavor. I don't know. It just didn't taste good for me. M is a big fan of mochi on the other hand. He really, really liked it.


The Chocolate is so-so. There's nothing special about it.  The Coffee Crispy will kick you in the face. It's coffee literally turned into ice cream. The Nanas or pineapple reminds me of the Watermelon and gives you that 80s popsicle vibe.

The Chocolate Crispy is probably one of the best in this series though. IT IS SO GOOD. It is the poor man's version of Magnum. The Strawberry Crispy is equally good. My son ate all 2 sticks and still wanted more. Know that he is not a fan of sweet things and normally gets tired of ice cream after a small serving. As for the Milk, it's pretty good but not amazing. 


Here's the price for the different Aice Ice Cream. It's not available in all supermarkets. This one, I found in a nearby neighborhood convenience store.

I kept seeing photos of this ice cream brand popping on my feed. It's called Aice and based on the little that I know, it comes from Sin...

It's that time of the year again where the consumption of coffee goes on overdrive! People decide to meet at Starbucks and all after reunion coffee is held here in the hopes of getting the much-coveted Starbucks stickers.

I'm guilty of it. So are a lot of people so without further ado, here is what the 2020 Philippine Starbucks Planner looks like.


For the 2nd year in a row, they have a travel organizer that you can choose if you're not into the planner. This year's design may just be the best yet.

Personally, I love the vibrant shade of the Berry Pink planner and the Neo Mint travel organizer. I can totally see myself lugging it around and using it. I feel like it would add a fresh vibe to a mundane day.

My brothers both love the Neo Mint travel organizer as well so I guess I'm gonna have to drink 36 cups of coffee to get them these organizers. 


The Starbucks daily planners come in two colors: Berry Pink and Frost Gray. Both are done in hardbound leather with an elastic band.


Berry Pink cover shows an embossed Siren face with a gold crown while Frost Gray features the Siren tail holding up a golden coffee cup.

Inside, the layout is simple and clean, highlighted by colorful illustrations with coffee information serving as monthly dividers.


 
The Starbucks Travel Organizer comes as a wrap case with multiple card slots, pockets and pen holder. It comes in fresh Neo Mint and classic Coffee colors, with a stripe elastic closure accent.



The accompanying mini notebook has three-page formats: plain for doodling and notes, grid and dotted grid for bullet journaling.

Other add-ons for both the planners and organizers: a bookmark, green and gold sticker sheet, monthly tear-off vouchers and a gift box.

Cole said that all the minimalist covers are done in eco-leather from “preconsumer recycled cowhide fibers bonded by natural latex—a renewable resource tapped from Hevea rubber trees.” The materials are sourced from leather factories in Valencia, Spain, an area known for leather tanning.

The pages, meanwhile, are produced in a green facility certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

Get 18 stickers by buying any Tall, Grande or Venti drink and fill out a promo card to redeem a planner or organizer; e-stickers on the Starbucks Philippines app are also honored. The sticker collection tradition will start on Nov. 2, 2019, while claiming would be until Jan. 7, 2020.

Visit www.starbucks.ph; www.facebook.com/StarbucksPhilippines; follow @starbucksph on Instagram, #MerryCoffeePH #AreYouReadyForThis

It's that time of the year again where the consumption of coffee goes on overdrive! People decide to meet at Starbucks and all after reu...