Buckle up for Sunrise Buckets

Every weekend, my family and I
pass by The Grove by Rockwell,
a residential and commercial space along C5 Road amidst the Ortigas cityscape, as we trek our way to my in-laws’ home in Proj. 4, Quezon City.

My wife and I would usually talk about how cool it might be to live in such a well-maintained area.  I told her that we can visit the place one of these days for at least a lunch or dinner since there are a few restaurants already opened there.  After all, it would just be a 30-minute drive from our place.

Well, I have a little confession to make.  I actually went to The Grove and did not bring my wife with me one rainy night.  I just wanted to try one restaurant who’s been making waves or should I say soaring in foodies radars with their tasty buffalo wings (no pun intended).

I am a chicken person. No I am not yellow.  What I mean is that I just love anything chicken --- arrozcaldo, fried, tinola, grilled, barbeque and whatever chicken dish my wife can dig from her favorite cook book, I’ll eat it.

That’s why it’s just a must for me to try a bucket of buffalo wings (yes, they come in tin containers) from Sunrise Buckets.  Among the fifteen flavors in the menu, I chose the entry Juan, not only because it was made to suit Pinoy taste but more for the reason that I need a reminder that I should be home not later than 1 o’clock or else.

Now here's what a bucket meal is all about

Here are the words that I uttered in every bite of the chicken-flavored Juan:

Juan-derful!  Juan-tastic! Number Juan!

How I wish that it was Juan-to-sawa but I have to leave some more space in my stomach for other Sunrise Buckets treats... and for a couple of bottle of beers, of course.

I don't dread this bone collector

The next weekend we visit my in-laws, ur route might be a little different than the usual. Well, we will still pass by The Grove since C5 is the most convenient way for us.  But this time, I would ask my wife and son for a family lunch date at Sunrise Buckets first before we head on to our destination.

So here’s my advice to my friends who are looking for that one great chicken experience (yes, there is such a thing)--- check out www.sunrisebuckets.com or call 477-7636 and buckle up for Sunrise Buckets!

Being Suplado the Second Time Around

Because of the record-breaking performance of The Hunger Games movie in the box-office, the sales of the book where it was based from also soared (again) worldwide.  However, the book will have a hard time getting the top spot of the best seller list in the Philippines.

This was after multi-media demigod Ramon Bautista made a big announcement at National Book Store – Shangri-La Mall.  

“Ang librong ito ay mas okay pa sa The Hungry Games!,” Bautista said while holding his complimentary copy of Suplado Tips 2 by Stanley Chi.

He explained that if you save the money intended for The Hunger Game book and instead use it to purchase a copy of Suplado Tips book, you’ll still have enough money for a value meal that will spell out your hunger. What a clever suggestion, indeed.

Actually, it was also Ramon Bautista who convinced me to get a copy of the first book via his moving testimonial, “Simula ng tinuruan ako ni Stanley Chi na maging suplado, nawala ang ubo ko!” Perfect for someone like me who has asthma.

The first book includes the 10 Suplado Commandments to remind grumpy people how to behave against people accordingly, the Suplado Meter to measure the level of angst in you and comic strips in case you lost interest in reading text entries.  

I became an instant fan of Stanley Chi after reading the book while attending a business lecture.  Thanks to this book, I had fun during the workshop and got my certificate at the end of the day. I thought this was never possible. 

And so, I am one of those who waited for Stanley to come out with a second book.  Alas, I think he heard my prayers (which I posted on his Facebook wall). And what a great way to get the Suplado Tips 2--- via an ultra kewl book launch!

DJs Ramon Bautista and Tado Jimenez with Stanley Chi

The “second coming” offers plenty more funny yet useful banter for moments you like to make a statement. There are more comic skits, laughs and other surprises (parang noontime show lang, no?).  I wish I would be given a chance to share my suplado story in the third book like the contributors whom Stanley invited in book 2.  It just proves that being a snub can get plenty of attention after all. 

Tado Jimenez, my idol from the wacky cult TV series Strangebrew, also attested to the "power" of the said book.  He confessed, "Yung binigay mong kopya ng libro tinanggap sa gas station nung magpakarga ako kanina. Fan mo (Stanley) kasi yung gasoline boy."

Anyone can relate to the many tips of Stanley Chi since (I hope it’s safe to say this) that there is a suplado side in each of every one of us.  For the non-suplados (Che! Umamin na kayo), you’ll learn great advices like “Kung nagpapa-picture ka, siguraduhin mong yung ngiti mo sa picture at sa toong buhay ay pareho!” (Now that's a direct hit on many FB profile pics that we say everyday) 

Suplado Tips 2, Chi’s newest book, shall be available online through www.psicompublishing.com and may be found in Fully Booked and National Bookstore outlets all over the country (unless his fanatic followers beat you to it).

For more updates on Stanley Chi’s Suplado Tips 2 and to join the Suplado Society of the Philippines, feel free to contact and stalk him at www.stanleychi.net. Catch more updates on the Suplado Tips Facebook page.

How do you make foam: The Uratex Experience

Sing this line with me to the tune of Eraserhead's Huwag Mo Nang Itanong sa Akin:

Field trip sa may pagawaan... ng mattress.   
Ay katulad ng buhay natin. 
Isang mahabang pila...
May bed sheets at kay daming unan!

These are the lines that kept playing on my head while I join a group of fellow bloggers in a very interesting and fun-filled plant tour at the Uratex facilities in Muntinlupa recently.  It was cool!  The last time I had a field trip was during high school where we trek Mt. Makiling in Laguna.  It felt like I was sweet 16 again (Naks!)

As they say, every field trip is like a learning journey.  So I would like to share some new stuff I learned during the said tour.  Did I say it felt like I was 16 again?

 
Foam-making in the past may have been a tedious, manual labor-intensive job but the process was made even better, thanks to modern technology. By using state-of-the-art equipment, Multiflex RNC Philippines of the RGC Foam Group, makers of the popular Uratex foam, totally revolutionized foam-making not only in the Philippines but also in South East Asia.

Being one of the largest foam-makers in the region and with advanced foam manufacturing equipment, let us see how a Uratex foam product is made:

The Research & Development laboratory.  Just like cooking, a good foam starts with the perfect recipe, and in foam-making, the R&D facility of the RGC Foam Group, one of the country’s most advanced, is where it all starts. There, Uratex laboratory personnel develop formulations that result to certain types of foam and also conduct tests to ensure that the formulation will meet final product specifications that customers look for. Over the years, this department has developed thousands of formulations that benefited the Philippine industrial history, from the car development program of the 1970s to the footwear, garments and electronics boom in the 1980s and 1990s.

Foaming. Once the formulation is finalized, it is entered into the foaming machine’s computer system. There, up to 26 streams of different chemicals are doused using computer-controlled metering pumps for precision.  The liquid will turn into cream within seconds and then into solid state within 1.5-2 minutes, and where the solid foam block may be cut between 1 to 60 meters in length.  At the Muntinlupa plant, the foam is cut in 30-meter lengths. This high-tech machinery is complimented by a quality management system and ran by highly-trained personnel.

Curing area. The 30-meter long blocks are then picked up by an overhead crane and transferred to the curing area. Foam is produced via an exothermic reaction where the center may reach up to 145-165 degrees Celsius within 20-30 minutes. It will not start to cool for another 3-4 hours but will reach room temperature within 24 hours and is “cured”.

Foam block warehouse.  This is the storage area for the foam blocks. From there, the plant’s production department will request for a specific type of block with different sizes as per orders coming from customers. These blocks are then moved to the production area where they will be cut according to the desired sizes.

Production area. It is from this area where the Uratex products that we all see come from. The foam blocks are cut into the requested size and then “contoured” based on the type of product to be produced, whether a pillow, a mattress, or even a car seat foam. Once cut and contoured, the product goes straight to packaging under strict quality control standards, ready for delivery to the customer.

The RGC Group of Companies revolutionized foam making back in 1987 when they set up the first continuous foaming machine in the country called the “Vertifoam” process. This involves computerized metering of materials to form perfectly-shaped foam with lesser scrap that benefited both the market and the environment because of less wastage.

In 2001, the group further blazed the trail in foam-making when it installed new foaming equipment called “Hennecke.” Tagged as the “Mercedes Benz” of the foam-making industry, this German-manufactured equipment is regarded as the best in the world. On December 2009, the RGC Group invested on another Hennecke machine with the latest technological improvements to serve as back-up to the year 2001 version. For more details about Uratex, visit www.uratex.com.ph.

The day ended with a big hurray and I think I need not explain why.  Just look at our last group picture and you can tell that everyone just had a great time and are excited to go home and try the gifts given by our friends from Uratex.

Special thanks to Ms. Jenny Roxas of www.joyfullifeofjen.blogspot.com for the photos.

Saving for your Child's Education

"The future belongs to those who prepare for it."

Ralph Waldo Emerson, a prolific American writer, says it best why good education is important.  That's why as early as today, I have already inquired about tuition fees from different pre-schools in our area.

Well, my son Charles is just 3 years old and he'll be very for school by next year. Am I a little excited? This is the first time I'll be sending a child in school just to explain the year-long preparation.   

I also asked other parents about this and in the process I found out that school expenses are increasing every year.  Makes me wonder if my savings is enough to cover college tuition fees and other expenses. A friend suggested that sside from regularly saving money, one can also prepare by getting profitable investments that offer better returns. Invest in companies which have made a mark and have a proven track record in the industry, like Insular Life.

Celebrating 101 years of unparalleled and continuous service to old and new generation of Filipinos, Insular Life remains to be the largest Filipino life insurance company. With its Direct Marketing plans College Provider and Sure Cash for Kids, you are assured of a secure future for your child.

College Provider is a 5-pay educational plan that provides a college cash fund for your child at age 17. It also provides a life insurance benefit for your child equivalent to the college fund until he reaches age 21. On top of this, College Provider has a built-in waiver of premium payments, wherein the policy will be considered fully paid should the parents or the payor meet an untimely death or suffers from total and permanent disability. The policy will then provide a pre-college cash allowance equivalent to 10% of the face amount until age 16 to finance for your child’s elementary and high school education.

On the other hand, Sure Cash for Kids is a 5-pay, 15-year savings and investment plan for your child that offers guaranteed yearly cash payouts and lump sum cash benefit with built-in life insurance protection. Yearly cash payouts equivalent to 10% of the maturity value will be given from the end of the 5th policy year to the end of the 14th policy year amounting to 100% of the maturity value. A lump sum cash benefit equivalent to 100% of the maturity value will also be given at the end of the 15th policy year. Your child is also covered with a life insurance protection for 15 years with the face amount increasing to 200% on the 4th policy year up to the 15th policy year.

Saving for your child’s education is a top priority, so preparing for it now can save you from possible financial troubles in the future.  Address your child’s needs today. Call Insular Direct at 878-1818 local 5403 or 892-3171 or email us at idirect@insular.com.ph for more details on College Provider and Sure Cash for Kids.

Summer is hotter with Banana Boat Sunscreen Lotion, Schick, & Nuffnang

My ideal Nuffnang summer is NUFFNANG!

Never-ending.  When you finally hit the summer vacation mode button located somewhere in between your ears, staying in the office feels like a bore that everyday you wish it's already Holy Week. To join the pabasa? Watch a sinakulo or have yourself nailed on a cross in Pampanga? Not!!!  I'm sure you have already either book a flight to Boracay or hoarded pirated DVDs in your cabinet for a movie marathon this early and hope summer comes with an "infinity option" just in case you feel not going back to your work ever.

Undisturbed. Imagine your self lying face down on a soft bed with a pair of amazing hands doing wonders all over your body in a room filled with easy listening music and lavender-scent air then suddenly your BB rang to the tune of The Bangles's Manic Monday. Well, it's your boss in the other line asking if you can cut short your vacation because a new client he met in an airplane wants to check out your products in two days time.  Before you curse your boss, ask your self first why of all songs you have chosen The Bangles' tune as your ring tone.

With Family and Friends.  Who would you like to spend with the happiest time of the year next to Christmas and your birthday? Well, unless your Hayden Kho you really need time to answer this question.  But if you'll ask me, you really need not to ask this question because my answer is already preprogrammed for many years now. These folks are the first on my list on who to consider when I plan a summer getaway. To prove this, I am planning to have a new tattoo that reads FF. Not for Frida Fonda ha? (Now if you don't know who Frida is, you can Google her, my dear)     

New Adventures and New Get-up.  Every road trip brings new experiences and fun memories and are mostly captured on camera.  So before you pack your things, check first your photos from at least the last two summer vacations you had and make sure that you'll not bringing any of the shirts, sandos, shorts or two-piece bikinis that you wore in the said outings.  But if you are like Steve of Blue's Clues or Mr. Bean who don't mind wearing the same outfit every time they go out, suit your self (no pun intended). 

Now, just a couple of reminders before you hit the water.  To the gentlemen, I hope you do a little shaving first to look more handsome under the sun. You can try Schick razors that are virtually irritation-free, so you feel relaxed and refreshed. Schick. Free your skin.

For the ladies who wants to protect their skin against the sometimes unfriendly sun, Banana Boat Sunscreen Lotion is ultra moisturizing and soothing that helps prevent peeling and dryness. Banana Boat Sunscreen Lotion. We've got you covered.

Pick-up lines and Brand Names

Image taken from flybluekite.com

I have to admit, I still have a little hangover from the recent Valentines festivities.  Well, I still see photos online posted by my friends on how they spent Heart’s day. Some went to the Pyropalooza event to see amazing fireworks displays; others were on cloud nine watching the air show during the hot air balloon fiesta, while the sentimental ones celebrated with a romantic dinner for two.

Another thing that I noticed was, cheesy pick-up lines can be the sweetest things that you’ll hear when you get it on the Day of Sweet Nothings.  I hope Sen. Miriam Santiago would not mind me doing my own list.  Here are some of the amusing lines that I stumbled upon in the internet:

Nag-Rexona ka ba? Kasi ako… I won’t let you down.

You remind me of Meralco. Dahil sa ‘yo…may liwanag ang buhay!

Kapag sinagot mo ako, para ka na ding nag-deposito sa Metrobank.  You’re in good hands.

Sabi nila para tayong San Miguel Beer… samahang walang katulad.

Siguro Smart ang SIM mo. Kasi you’re simply amazing!

Reading these lines was really fun that I tried to search for more.  Looking for “branded” phrases, instead I stumbled upon entries about interesting facts behind corporate brand names.  I was surprised to find out that there are many companies, brands and products whose names were derived from strange circumstance, things and happenings.  Below is a list of popular consumer products and the stories how they got their brand names.
 
Adobe: This well-known and leading software developer got its name from the river Adobe Creek that ran behind the house of founder John Warnock.

Apple Computers: The late great innovator Steve Jobs, founder of the company, told his employees one day that if no one can give him a good suggestion for a company name by 5:00 pm, he will just name their organization after his favorite fruit. 

CISCO: Contrary to what many perceived that the name is an acronym, the brand name is just short for the city of San Francisco in California, USA where their headquarters is located.

Compaq: Even a high school student can decipher this.  The name was formed by using COMp, for computer, and PAQ to denote a small integral object.

Corel: The name known for its products used in creative designs and graphics ironically got its name in an uncreative way.  It was just derived from the founder's name Dr. Michael Cowpland. It stands for COwpland Research Laboratory.

Google: The Company was originally known as 'Googol', a word for the number represented by 1 followed by 100 zeros. After founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page presented their project to an investor, they received a cheque made out to 'Google'. And the rest was history.

Hotmail:  When Sabeer Bhatia, one of its founders, came up with the business plan for the mail service, he tried all kinds of names ending in 'mail' and finally settled for hotmail as it included the letters "html" - the programming language used to write web pages.

Hewlett Packard: This Company literally started with a quarter dollar. Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard tossed a coin to decide whether the company they founded would be called Hewlett-Packard or Packard-Hewlett.

Intel: Moore Noyce could have been a nice sounding brand name if not for a hotel chain beating Gordon Moore and Bob Noyce in getting the trade mark.  The business partners had to settle for an acronym of INTegrated ELectronics.

Jollibee. The Caktiong family approached Management Consultant Manuel Lumba to help them in their ice cream business in the late 70's.  Lumba advised them to look into a "bigger" business and use the name Jolly Bee inspired by local and foreign children's book.  The company decided to drop the "y" and use and "i" and have it one word instead and the rest is history.

Mercedes-Benz: Brand names derived by combining two names are usually that of the founders of the company.  Not in this case.  Mercedes was the name of the daughter of Austrian financier Emil Jellinek coined with the name of Carl Benz, the German inventor of gasoline-powered automobile. 

Microsoft: Bill Gates came out of the name to represent the company that was devoted to MICROcomputer SOFTware. Originally marketed as Micro-Soft, the '-' was removed later on.

Motorola: The popular radio company was once called Victrola until Founder Paul Galvin came up with this name when his company started manufacturing radios for cars, incorporating the word “motor” to their brand name.

Sony: Surprisingly, the name of this Japanese multi-national conglomerate originated from the Latin word 'sonus' meaning sound, and 'sonny' a slang used by Americans to refer to a bright youngster.

Yahoo!: Founders Jerry Yang and David Filo selected the name because they considered themselves yahoos, a word invented by Jonathan Swift and used in his book 'Gulliver's Travels'. It represents people who are repulsive in appearance and action and is barely human.

YKK. Have you ever wondered what those three letters stamped on your zipper's pull tabs mean? Yoshida Kogyo Kabushikikaisha or Yoshida Company Limited when translated in English. The company was named after its founder Tadao Yoshida. Can you imagine if they marked on the zipper the whole company name instead?

I hope you had fun reading this article as much I had fun writing it.  Some stories behind the brand names are indeed amusing but at least made us aware how these big household names began.  Allow me to end this piece with another pick up line.

Do you know why I avoid target shooting? Because I think, I’ll gonna miss you!  ‘Till next time, guys! 

I am Corny

 I am one of the corniest soul you’ll ever meet.

No, it’s not about the jokes that I deliver. Actually, some people convince me to be a stand-up comedian and they swear I’ll be a good one.  They say that just the sight of me standing on stage is already a comedy skit.

Well, that’s another story. The other “corny” side that I want to share is my love for anything corn.  Roasted, grilled, creamed corn or whatever dishes with corn, I’ll eat it! 

Last weekend, we had a popcorn party at home after a friend came to visit our place and generously brought packs of pop corn.  Well, not just pop corn--- it’s Holy Kettle Corn.  

Let me tell you a little history about pop corn to prove to you how much I’m into corn.  Kettle corn said to be the precursor of what is popularly known as popcorn was introduced in America back in the 18th century, when the corn was popped in cast-iron kettles, then mixed with natural sweeteners, such as honey, molasses, or sugar. It was a staple snack food of cowboys and farmers.

Personally, watching in movie houses is incomplete without a bucket of pop corn.  It’s just to be there on your side while you cry with the film stars or scream with them as crazy villains scare them away. 

Before I was able to grab a pack of Holy Kettle Corn, different from Kettle Corn, I was out muscled by my wife, her two sisters and my brother in law.  Good thing, we have four flavors to choose from: Smoked Barbeque, Cheese, Sour and Cream and Original flavor.  

My wife

My sis-in-law Lulu

My sis-in-law Hazel and hubby Alex

I was able to secure the cheesy one and ran away with it.  Truly, Holy Kettle lives up to its promise that their corns which are imported from Nebraska are prepared fresh everyday and is hand-popped everyday. 

I am just happy to know that Holy Kettle Corn is available at 7-11 stores and is sold at only Php 40 each.  I heard that two weeks after the opening of the Holy Kettle Corn Alabang outlet, the company began negotiating for its second branch. And in less than 3 months, it was opened right across the University of Asia and the Pacific campus. The company targeted to open its third outlet only a year after and the organization now has over 50 employees, maintaining 11 branches, including its first franchise outlet in Banilad Town Center in Cebu city.  For the complete list of their outlets and other information, you can check their official website, www.holykettlecorn.ph.

Holy Kettle Corn’s franchise scheme was developed over a period of 6 months, and launched its franchising program on July 1, 2005. With this, the company hopes to open more branches, targeting to add at least 2 or 3 outlets/stores a month.

Having tested and tried its marketability in Metro Manila and other parts of the country, Holy Kettle Corn plans to go international soon.  Now, if one day I find myself walking near Sydney Opera House or Staples Center in L.A. and bumped into a Holly Kettle Corn store, I won’t be surprise because with one bite, it’s easy to say that this brand will reach greater heights!

Turning Japanese without really trying

 
When I was young, my dream is to become a Japanese.

In spite of the many war movies that I have seen where the Japanese soldiers were shown as villains, I still want to be a member of the Voltes V team, hunt down Godzilla and play catch with Mickey Mouse at Tokyo Disneyland.  Even in college, I dig Shonen Knife's music and follow Son Goku's adventure as if I am part of it.

I am now a family in my thirties and still, the Japanese dream sticks in my bucket list but a little logical this time, of course.  Well, I just want to visit the country and experience the wonder of how high-end technologies is able to go along with the rich tradition of the land of the rising sun.  And I do hope to accomplish this anytime soon.

For now, easiest access to feel a little bit of Japan is to consume all the Japanese dishes I can.  Well, the month of March seems friendly that I got quite a treat on it's first day.  I was invited to the launch of the new additions to the already-awesome menu of Japanese dishes of Yoshinoya, one of Japan’s largest chains of beef bowl restaurants and a favorite fast-food brand.

For two hours, it felt like I was a Japanese with eight (yes eight!) different Yoshinoya dishes served to our table one by one that when somebody called me up over the phone, I answered "konichiwa."  Now that's what you call turning Japanese without really trying.

I want to share to you the delectable entries me and all my fellow bloggers and members of media had that night which everyone can also experience only in Yoshinoya.