Figaro Avalanche of Flavors Starts Today!

Figaro is one of my top favorite coffee shops in the Philippines. It helps that there's a Figaro right across where I live, and that it has fast and free wi-fi. More than anything, it's the community experience that keeps me coming back. Even if I bring my three children along to do homework in the cafe, we always feel welcomed by the baristas and the patrons are usually familiar faces in the neighborhood. The baristas know me by name and offers good suggestions when I can't figure out what to eat by myself. LOL. Sorry, too much of an endorsement, I know. But with the many times has my sanity been saved by a casual couple of hours I spend at Figaro Kapitolyo makes me a loyal customer to this Filipino company that promotes our country from crop to cup.

Figaro launches its newest line of delectable beverages that tickles the sweet tooth in you! It's an Avalanche of Flavors starting August 1 in your favorite Figaro branches. I had first dibs on the exquisite taste of Figaro's new line at the Shangrila Plaza Mall. It's also the first time Figaro is serving their ice-blended drinks in 20oz (Php 150) and of course, the usual 16 ounce (P130php).

First up, the heavenly White Chocolate Mocha Frost. Unlike any other white chocolate drink I've ever had, the white chocolate can really be tasted--- without the coffee overpowering it. This tastes lighter, yet really creamy and flavorful. It's not that sweet, and it will go very well with pasta or a sandwich. It is topped with whipped cream and with white chocolate sprinkles. This was my favorite among the drinks served that night.

Next is the Choco Chips Java Frost, with a strong chocolate flavor-- almost tablea-like, with less the creaminess and more of the chocolate. It's a beauty in its own, topped with whipped cream and chocolate chips.

Don't you agree everything Oreo spells a sure hit, in kids and adults alike? The Figaroccino Cookie Crumble with Oreos is basically mocha with blended Oreos. The crunch gives this mocha drink an exciting twist for those wanting more fun in their usual figaro frost.

And last but not the least, the all-caramel goodness of Figarocinno Caramel Chips Frost! The caramel fan that I fell in love with a sip. Texture-heavy with all the caramel bits blended in the drink, as well as sprinkled on top of the whipped cream. 

All drinks were a refreshing compliment to dinner such as the Chicken Barbecue with Chili Sauce and Fish Fillet with Pesto served that night. I loved that both dishes was served with a generous siding of vegetables that makes it nutritionally complete meal in itself.

They also introduced to us new cakes that pairs their fine coffee, frost and milk tea. The carrot cake is moist with just the right sweetness, made interesting by the crunchy almond bits. The cream cheese drizzled by caramel provided a salty contrast to the sweetness of the cake-- and an eye-candy too!

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The Orange Coffee Cake is a soft sponge cake lightly flavored with orange. I find it similar to rhum cake sans the syrupy base, just touches of coffee swirls in the dough. The cake base won't give you a toothache at all. It's best paired with black coffee in my opinion. Photo courtesy of www.jobonsol.net

All will be available in all Figaro stores nationwide starting July 30, 2012.  For more updates and branches, visit www.figarocoffee.com and like the FB page of Figaro at  https://www.facebook.com/figarocoffeecompany

Outtakes: Enjoyed this dinner with the fantabulous Mommy Jo of Cogito Ergo Sum, Figaro's PR Manager, Annesy del Mundo, Mr. Pogi Winner John Callueng, Rod Magaru, Chinnie, Ruth MommyWrites and other popular bloggers. I also had the pleasure to meet the Yogini From Manila

Thanks for dropping by my blog!

Hit Summer Adventure for Kids at Shangri-La

One of the great things about having kids is you totally get to relive your childhood. I picked this line up from Muhammad Ali, "Children want to make you start your life over." What this means for me is you get to re-experience the wonders and excitement of childhood through the eyes of your child. When I bring my kids to "congregate" with other kids and see their favorite characters, they tend to open up more. Miguel is particularly shy and not too trusting. Marco as well, but he can communicate his feelings better and we can talk about trust now that he's a wee bit older. Mateo has zero shyness level at this point. Children encourage adults to tap in their spontaneity and joy of un-self-conscious, childlike creativity.

Shangri-La Plaza opened today an event called Hit Summer Adventure which runs up to April 17, Sunday. Event sponsors had different activities for kids for free like face painting by Popitas, pizza and bread making by Breville, drawing and coloring by Maped and Elmer's Glue, Thomas and Friends story telling and drawing, free Ceelin Vitamin C supplement from Unilab, Shakey's free balloon creations and discounted DVDs from Magnavision.  Honestly, Miguel didn't care about anything because he was obsessing about this gigantic Thomas and Friends train tracks. Anak, when we become millionaires, and we have a house which can fit toys this size, okay? :)

Kids are free to tinker with Thomas and Friends play sets (not pictured)



Bob the Builder came out for a song and dance







I think I was more excited about Bob the Builder. I had to have this photo! Miggy did recognize Bobba Bilder but got scared when he's this big.



I think this place will be more packed tomorrow when there are more kids.



Free facepaint and popcorn by Popitas



Bread-making and Pizza-making by Australian kitchen and appliance company, Breville











Ceelin guys in catchy helmets





And Miggy came home with three Barney workbooks.



And his new playmates, Chuck and Barricade the Decepticon (not pictured)



The little man is now asleep, deadbeat from all walking plus the chores we did today.



Have a fun weekend!

Summer Hit Adventure can be found at the Shangri-La Plaza Grand Atrium

Shaw Boulevard cor EDSA

Mandaluyong City

Schedule a Midweek Pursuit

I think everyone should have scheduled mid-week activities. Just to make things more interesting and spice up the mundane Monday to Friday routine. Making an effort to do something out of the ordinary makes one feel like getting a special treat. Other people make badminton dates after office, a yoga class, a Tuesday movie night, pursue a day-to-day photography habit or a Monday ladies' brunch. Fridays are usually reserved for office affairs, it's almost obligatory. But scheduling action on an ordinary weekday will be sure to perk up the rest of your week.

Since we just love hanging out and talking endlessly, it's dinner by default. It's not healthy, hahaha! But it does the job. Yesterday it was a Wednesday stress buster dinner with friends at Crocodile Grill in Shangrila Plaza. We also made plans to try out a Bataan beach resort on May.








































Krocodile Grille can be found at 
Ground Level, Streetscape, Shangri-La Plaza 
Shaw Boulevard cor EDSA
Mandaluyong City

My Valentine Date

I just got home from a simple, no frills, a day like any other day, Valentine date. I really didn't wanna go out because I know I do not wish to bear witness to all the mushy, canoodling, lovey dovey scenes happening all over town. I know for a fact that today, getting a taxi will be like winning the lottery. As we went out of our Kapitolyo, Pasig neighborhood, I spied taxis by the droves on the way to you know where aka Orchid, Dahlia, Victoria Court, Hillside View, etc. We can only guess what happens behind the great, hidden coves of the taxi rooms....

Anyways, my hubby has been itching since Saturday to spend all his Sodexho gift certificates on some Michael Jordan shoes. So it being Valentines, we might as well spend some time together even if we don't really need to. :)

A lot of shops and restaurants are offering all kinds of Valentine promos. Since we were lugging a baby around I only managed to take shots of a few.

A more-than-usual number of people were checking out this boutique selling stuffed toys.
Check out the size compared to Matt.

Valentines is ALWAYS expensive for the boys... Poor things.

Lovely, overpriced Valentine bouquets

Some more lovely, overpriced Valentine bouquets

The busy bees selling the flowers

The people on dates ;)

The seller has her hands full-- good for business!

Another stall at the ground floor

Afterwards, we went to Shangrila Mall to visit Nike Stadium where hubby bought some stuff. We saw Joey de Leon and his hot cougar wife. I wanted to take his photo as I am a big fan but I was too shy!

Coffee is always sensual. There were a lot of couples here-- of all kinds, sexes, shapes and sizes.

Daddy's date

Cute

Spending Valentines Day with his dog and not his Mrs

It's time for dinner. Nothing romantic because we were starving. We decided on carbs and steak. We were ready to wolf down an entire cow so we ate at Tender Bob's. Sorry no steak photos, told ya we were hungry.

Look at me frown. Matt tinkers with the menu.

He's gettin super fussy. And when he cries, he screams, it's like he owns the place.
 But being a baby, you're allowed to do that. 

One of those moments where I wish I never had kids.

Thank God the day was saved by some rompin'. Hee-hee. Hee-hee by the peace of mind that I am loved and cherished by people who love me the most. Happy Valentines!