AVIDA TOWERS COOKS UP THIS YEAR'S AVIDA FOOD HUNT

Pinoys have always had a flair for good food and we are definitely not one to shy away from trying out various cuisines. In a tour sponsored by AVIDA TOWERS ASTEN, me and my friends made rounds in San Antonio Village in West Makati to have a go at promising restaurants in the area for the AVIDA FOOD HUNT. Headed by no less than CHEF JJ YULO, well-known chef and food blogger, here are five diners that tickled our palates:

CARPACCIO RISTORANTE ITALIANO

7431 Yakal Street, San Antonio Village, Makati City
Tel: (63) 843-7286 / 867-3164 F: (63) 892-9271
E-mail: diningatyakal@werdenberg.com
http://www.werdenberg.com/carpaccio/index.html

The Avida Food Hunt started at Carpaccio Ristorante Italiano. The new Carpaccio Ristorante Italiano opened last October 27, 2008. Located Right across Avida Asten, this popular restaurant has become a premiere destination for food and wine lovers seeking a classic Italian dining experience. A must try for everyone is the Carpaccio, a delectable dish of thinly sliced choice cut Grade A beef served with cheese and fresh green salad on the side. Carpaccio Ristorante Italiano offers exquisite classical Italian dining – carpacio dishes, antipasti, generous salads, freshly made pasta & tempting desserts – with a sophisticated international wine list that features the finest wines. The interior design of Carpaccio is modern yet classic creating a classic Italian ambience with the finest wines by the glass and an array of the best carpaccio dishes giving its patrons an extraordinary dining experience.

AUTHENTIC MASTERS SINGAPOREAN FOOD

#1203 Vito Cruz ext. cor. Pasong Tamo, Makati City

Telephone # (02) 5111227

https://www.facebook.com/TtkSingaporeanRestaurant

From the rustic cuisine of Italy, the Avida Food Hunt takes on an Asian adventure with its next stop, the TK Authentic Masters Singaporean Food. This Asian food house has been providing a variety of services – from buffets and ala carte dining to budget meal toppings and food deliveries – to the people of San Antonio Village and beyond since 2012. TTK’s recipes come from a time-honored family tradition kept alive for generations; specializing in gastronomic selection that speaks of a fusion of flavors representing various cultures from all over the world. Their popular offerings include Singaporean staples such as a Char Kway Teow (stir-fry noodles), savory cereal prawn, and the refreshing Kopi O, a traditional iced coffee concoction served in Malaysia and Singapore.

HONG KONG (HK) ROAST

7467C Bagtikan St., San Antonio Village, Makati City

Telephone numbers: +632 553-7846, 984-7760

Email: hkroast@yahoo.com

https://www.facebook.com/hkroast

The next joint is HK Roast. This cozy hole-in-the-wall favorite along Bagtikan Street is an ode to the Tai Pai Dong, the small open eateries found on the busy roadsides of Hong Kong. HK Roast serves an array of Hong Kong style comfort food like the mouth-watering roast duck, best eaten with a steaming bowl of rice and a glass bubble milk tea.

TITANIA WINE BAR AND CAFE

Unit 8 Southway Condominium 7435 Yakal St. San Antonio Village, Makati City

+632 894 1371, +632 894 1372 / +632 894 1373, +632 894 1374 / Fax No. +632 894-1378

http://www.titaniawinecellar.com

Titania Wine Bar and Café (TWCI), a fine dining restaurant inside the Titania Grand Cellar on Yakal Street is the fourth stop in the Avida Food Hunt. TWCI established THE GRAND CELLAR – Asia’s first temperature-controlled cellar for fine wines like the underground cellars of France – with ample space for more than 200 types of wines, complete with wine-tasting facilities and paraphernalia. Here is where we got to taste and be lectured on fine wines imported from France, Italy, Spain, Chile, Argentina, California and Australia. (Special wines that can only be bought there).

SOPHIE'S MOM HOMESTYLE BAKERY AND CONFECTIONARY

8760 Santol Street, San Antonio Village, Makati City

02 8564849

https://www.facebook.com/sophiesmomonline

The Avida Food Hunt ends on a sweet note with a sampling of assorted desserts at Sophie’s Mom. Nestled along the posh Street, this quaint bakeshop is a dreamland for anyone with a sweet tooth. Displayed on their shelves are luscious cakes, cupcakes mocha-truffles, mocha ice cream, and a tasty selection of specialty breads baked fresh everyday – the way Sophie’s mom, owner Marie Antoinettte Rosal, makes her treats for her daughter.

True to the words of Avida Marketing Head Ms. Tess Tatco, “We are doing the Avida Food Hunt because we want people to realize that Avida Developments provide comfort and convenience to their residents. They are communities where everything is near, access to good life and great food and restaurants are all in the vicinity of an Avida home.” AVIDA TOWERS ASTEN proves to be an ideal spot for a dynamic lifestyle.

Visit Avida Land’s Facebook page (avidalandph) or Avida Showroom at Glorietta (2/F, Glorietta 4) to know the latest happenings at Avida.

BEKI BOXER: The Queen of the Ring

Punching in more power to "girl power" is TV5's latest action-packed comedy series, the BEKI BOXER. More than just a local adaptation of the hit movie Beautiful Boxer, it offer viewers with a fresh new take on a young man's journey to live his dreams in a world booming with discrimination in many levels.

The series tells the story of a naturally gifted fierce boxer Rocky Ponciano. When his father Max, a former boxing champion, lost a crucial fight which eventually doomed his career, it becomes Rocky's ultimate goal to bring the lost glory of his family back. Faced with social dilemna, Rocky dawns an odyssey to become the king... or rather, queen of the ring.

Playing the title role is versatile Kapatid actor Alwyn Uytingco. Joining Alwyn to give life to Beki Boxer’s endearing characters are Christian Vasquez as Max; Candy Pangilinan as Consuelo, a loving wife and mother to Rocky and Max; Cholo Barreto as his homophobic brother Elorde; Onyok Velasco as his godfather and boxing coach Ninong Onyok; Joross Gamboa as his gay friend and confidant Madonna; John Ragala as the antagonist Coach Dalmacio; Claire Hartell as Venus, Kristel Moreno as Jessa, Danita Paner as Chloe and Vin Abrenica as his co-boxer and love interest Atong.

Join Rocky and witness a story of love, equality, and triumph as BEKI BOXER premiers on Monday, March 31, 7PM only at TV5, Celebrating Everyday All The Way!

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY and BPI give thanks with ZALORA

Makati City (March 12, 2014) – Habitat for Humanity Philippines (Habitat), Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), and Zalora Philippines (Zalora) today launched a promo that encourages BPI Cardholders to help Typhoon Haiyan (local name Yolanda) survivors by shopping online.

“People have the heart to help, but sometimes don’t know how,” says Habitat CEO & Managing Director Charlie Ayco. “This partnership with BPI and Zalora is a good and easy way of doing so as we now move towards rebuilding the lives of those affected by Haiyan.  We have a long way to go and every amount helps in giving these families back their homes.” ends Ayco.

Habitat aims to distribute 30,000 Shelter Repair Kits and build 30,000 core shelters for those affected by Haiyan depending on availability of funding.

“With BPI’s more than 1 million credit cardholders, and Zalora being the leading online fashion store in the country, we hope to generate a lot of donations while they shop,” says BPI VP for Marketing Strategy and Development Angie Florentino.  “Thank you, Habitat and Zalora for undertaking this role with us as we continue to help those who survived Haiyan.”

“Thank you for letting us be a part of this initiative,” says Zalora Philippines Co-Founder and Managing Director Paulo L. Campos III.  “We are very excited in launching the promo with BPI.  I’m sure our online shoppers will be thrilled with the 15% discount voucher they will receive when they donate to Habitat.” ends Campos.

The BPI-Zalora promo is open to all qualified BPI credit card holders.  BPI cardholders may donate a minimum of P1,000.00 using any BPI Card variant via www.give2habitat.org/philippines/ReBuildPhilippines.  They will then receive a 15% ZALORA discount

voucher code via e-mail which may be used upon checkout when they shop at ZALORA.COM.PH.  Discount is not valid for sale items and brand exclusions apply. Terms and conditions apply. Promo is from March 15 – June 15, 2014. 

Habitat for Humanity Philippines (HFHP) is a non-profit organization that serves Filipino families in need of decent homes. We bring together partners who share the same vision of transforming lives through building responsible and sustainable communities. Established in 1988, HFHP is a country affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International based in Georgia, USA. For 25 years, HFHP has served over 60,000 families throughout the country. HFHP envisions that every Filipino family has a decent place to live. Visit www.habitat.org.ph or www.facebook.com/habitatphilippines for more details.

**Via Press Release