CaliBurger: What you see is what you get

The love story between man and hamburger is said to have originated during the invention of the mechanical meat grinder during the 1860s. The word hamburger probably existed by the end of the Middle Ages. In 1802, the Oxford English Dictionary defined 'Hamburg steak' as salt beef.  

However, another version says that the word that refers to ground beef is German which was derived from the city of Hamburg in Germany but the idea was imported from Russia.

Whichever is true, we just have to be glad that some dude in the past thought of creating beef patties, placing it between two buns and loaded it with greens, tomatoes, cheese and whatever edible that can be held inside the bread.

Personally, I am a big fan of hamburger and will always be a sucker of this mouth-watering treat with r without catsup. That’s why I was quick to say yes when somebody invited me to try the offerings of a newly-opened burger joint in the metro.

CaliBurger Philippines just opened two shops this year, one at the 4^th level of Century Mall, Kalayaan Avenue, Makati City and the other store is at Timog Avenue, Quezon City (in front of GMA Network). A welcome treat to every burger-loving Pinoys who now have the chance to bite on the yummy buns that have also invaded Shanghai, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Dubai, Bahrain and Kuwait.

As soon as I enter the store, I know that this one place that I can find refuge especially during times that I need to finish some workloads alone. The shop is clean, spacious and feels relaxing, or should I say refreshing.

I was looking at the menu and was quite impressed with the presentation of the set meal for the BBQ Bacon Cheese Burger. It is layered with 100% USDA Prime Angus Beef patty. Double smoked bacon, and sweet and tangy house-made BBQ sauce. It comes with a serving of either fries or onion rings and unlimited refills of drink and costs only P195.

And you know what, when my order was served, I was like a little surprised that it looks better than the picture on the table standee. This is one of those rare times that what I see on the menu, is what I got served on my table. This is the actual comparison with no filter used. 

Usually, I eat my burger for about 15-30 minutes while browsing my tablet or reading a magazine or a book. But with this CaliBurger offering, I was like munching it and liking every bite in between my onion rings and in less than 10 minutes, I finished the set.  

If want more of CaliBurger’s Always Fresh products, you can check out CaliBurgerPH on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.   

A Spa-tacular Treatment at Thai Royale Spa

It was a very inviting clear glass door that greeted me as I step towards a building. I entered in a hallway that leads me up to a room where cheerful faces are waiting. The ambiance of the place embraced me with its relaxing music and a scent that somewhat enchanted me to stay there longer.

Nope. It’s not heaven although it’s definitely one place where you can experience cloud nine.  I am not even dreaming but it felt like I am being treated to an amazing moment of bliss.

Thai Royale Spa hallway

You want to know where I found this taste of heaven?  It’s at the Thai Royale Spa where one can experience the luxury of massage spa without spending too much for a spectacular service in a relaxing ambiance.

With fellow bloggers who attended the spa party. Image credit to r0ckstarm0mma.com

I was invited to a spa party for bloggers recently to try the services of their branch in Mandaluyong City, one of their 15 outlets nationwide.  We were very fortunate to meet Ms. Kate who was happy to share the secret to the success of Thai Royale Spa, a business she put up with her husband in 2010. She also owns Suay Skin Clinic and Kai Chai Milk Tea Shop which are all open for franchising.

She also revealed the story behind their signature lovebird towel design that are placed on their massage bed. She said it is in a way mirrors her relationship with her husband who is an Overseas Filipino Worker. He has to work hard for the family while she takes care of the business that they put up while taking care of their kids.  The sacrifices that the couple made actually blossomed into one of the best massage spas in our country.

When we arrived at Thai Royale Spa, we were welcomed by their friendly staffed and assisted to their cozy massage rooms as soon as we have chosen the services that we want to avail. I asked to be pampered with their package of 1 hour Swedish massage and 1 hour foot massage which I think is a bargain at P499.

Foot Massage area

The first hour was a like a walk on the cloud, literally and figuratively, as one of their expert masseurin did an exceptional job on my foot massage. For several minutes, my feet were soaked in a perfectly refreshing bucket of warm water mixed with fragrant mixture before they were treated to oil and cream. If I am to describe my feet after the foot massage, they looked like a brand new shiny leather shoes straight out of a box.

After this session, I was led to one of their rooms for the Swedish massage.  I am a big fan of massage/ spa clinics and have a favorite place for pampering near our home in Quezon City. But after the very superb treatment I got from the skilled hands of the one who did my body massage, I don’t mind going to Mandaluyong for another round or more. I will definitely bring my wife who is my frequent spa date.

Massage bed with the signature Lovebirds towel design

Thai Royale Spa is a proud member of Wellness Organization Worldwide (WOW) and one of the few that is certified by The Union Of Thai Traditional Medicine Society (International Body Work Training Center) in Bangkok, Thailand. It was recently awarded as the 2013 Most Family-Oriented Spa in the Philippines. Mr. and Ms. Gayap were awarded as the 2012 Outstanding Pinoy Achiever and 2012 Outstanding Young Lady Entrepreneur respectively. They were trained internationally specifically in Bangkok, Thailand and Singapore to make sure that they can master their business and of course to offer the best for their clients and their would-be clients.

To know more about Thai Royale Spa, their services and promotions, visit their website at www.thairoyalespa.com and their official Facebook account: www.facebook.com/thairoyalespa888.

Unlock some office skills: Astig way to be a better employee

I hate office work.

But of course, I just can't leave my job today and pop a sticky note on the forehead of my boss that says "I quit!"

I hate office work but I love my family. In short, no food if no job. That's why I need to improve on some of my skills if I want to be someone here in our workplace aside from being known as "the guy who laughs so hard at his one knock-knock jokes."

You know what, I think I have to break my usual drill here in my cubicle and better start being a better version of me. How I hope it can be done as easy as it said or as easy like creating a powerhorse model employee with amazing abilities using an app on my tablet.

Well, we can do some imagination for now on how I'd like to be the perfect office guy in our office.

Type faster and flawlessly.
My boss once told me that I type like his grandmother. The next time he disctates a report, he'll get it bookbinded and covered with a colorful book cover of Winnie the Pooh before he can even say, "Yours Truly"

Never forget any detail.
It's always an awkward feeling when you're already presiding a meeting to discuss your presentation and you forgot an important detail on your report like the say, the name of the company's president. So please, God. Give at least 32GB more of memory for storage.

Create awesome presentation decks.
It's definitely an awesome feeling when your clients are impressed with your slides. The same feeling when received your first-ever SMS in your first-ever mobile phone. Made me think how did it feel again?

Multitask at any given time.
Time is gold. We have heard that so many times that I have no time to listen to people who are about to say such idiom. Kidding aside, Girl, if you can do three things at the same time, you're three times a lady!

How about you, what skills do you like to unlock? Feel free to share your thoughts and be part of the KitKat Break Movement.

Who wants a copy of the Tagalized version of The Fault in Our Stars?

If you haven't read John Green's The Fault in our Stars or watched its movie version, the fault is on you.

Now, Pinoys have no more reason to discover the simple yet complicated love story of cancer patients Hazel and Augustus since it's Tagalized or Filipino edition is now available in all National Bookstore and Powerbooks outles nationwide. You may opt to have a e-book copy via nationalbookstore.com. How much? P165 only and it's not your parent's fault if you have that amount in your wallet. You should have that amount ready anytime if you are already 16 years old and above.

The Fault in our Stars has already been translated into different language including Dutch, Danish, German, Spanish, French, Swedish, Portugese, Chinese and Hebrew.

I think I'll get the French version so I won't understand it and avoid crying and reading but I still feel the romantic feel of Paris.

IBC 13 being revived with new TV shows

Back in the 80's, when there was no Kapamilya, Kapuso or Kapatid yet, IBC 13 is the no. 1 TV station in the country besting the other four other networks then in the local free channels (2, 4, 7 and 9).

Top programs of channel 13, which banners the "Life begins at 13" mantra back then, are Ora Engkantanda, Pinoy Thriller, TODAS, Iskul Bukol, Takeshi's Castle and others.

The top shows and popular stars of the network were long gone and it just became a venue for reruns, government announcements and non-commercialized programs.

Starting tomorrow, June 2, a new line-up of shows will be presented to the viewing public for a more interesting programming in recent years.

Asian Television Content Philippine Corporation (ATC), the much-awaited new content TV provider of IBC 13, will launch its top-notch TV programs tomorrow, June 2, as announced by its president and CEO, Engr. Reynaldo Sanchez.

Among the TV programs to debut will be Hi-5, the popular educational children’s program created in Australia in 1999. It reaches an estimated average weekly global audience of one million children as it is being broadcast in over 83 countries. ATC will bring it on free TV, from Mondays to Fridays, 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. It will be followed by Animalia, a fun and informative program which reveals the amazing world of animals and their interaction with people, from 5:30 p.m. to  6 p.m. The Big Planet is perfect for kids of all ages and explores different people, interesting places, weird inventions and strange animals from around the world.  The telecast date is on June 7, from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Another program worth seeing is the action-packed hit series La Teniente (The Lieutenant). It’s a story of conspiracy with equal doses of thriller and melodrama. TV audiences will  be amazed by its scenic shots using an array of helicopters, boats and planes. La Teniente (The Lieutenant) premieres on June 7, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

One Fighting Championship is Asia’s largest mixed martial arts show featuring the best fighters and our very own Ana Julaton a.k.a. The Hurricane, the first Filipina boxer to win the women’s WBO Super Bantamweight and IBA Super Bantamweight World Championships. She won in the recent May One FC Rise of Heroes fight against Egyptian Kickboxing Champion  AyaSaeid Saber. “It’s absolutely mixed martial arts at its best. Making it stronger than ever,” as stated by Randy Topacio, ATC VP for sales and marketing. It airs Sundays from 11:30 p.m. to 12 midnight. Another sports-oriented show is Football Fanatics  that highlights new players and legends of football, coaches, clubs, stadia, merchandise and controversies. It will be shown Mondays to Thursdays,  from 11 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Two sides of Ana is a compelling drama of tragedy, revenge and love story. It will air Mondays to Fridays, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Gadgets & Gizmos follows right after. It is an exciting half an hour series that will amaze audiences as they discover the awesome gadgets in the world.

Other interesting programs to watch out for are: Beyond Stardom, which focuses on what the stars do in between takes. The telecast date will be on June 7, from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. It will be followed by Cultural Flavours, a 30-minute cooking tour that takes viewers around the world one dish at a time without leaving the kitchen. Boost will be shown right after. It is an informative and empowering half hour show containing all the essential ingredients for achieving that perfect healthy balance.

Fame and Fashion Memoir cater to viewers who are more into famous personalities in Hollywood and fashion entertainment. The shows will air Sundays.