8 Slices and Tidbits about Project Pie

Growing up (or getting old, the moment you get in your thirties), there are only few things in life that is equally worth experiencing when hot or cold--- water, the weather, chocolate and pizza!

It’s pretty obvious that I’ll be talking about pizza in this post since I mentioned it last in my enumeration.  Pizza, of course, will forever have a special place in my heart (aside from my tummy) since the first meal I shared with my ex-girlfriend and now my wife Leah is a round of thin crust pizza more than eight years ago. 

Thus, it has been our tradition that in every special occasion, especially on our anniversary, we have at least a slice of this tasty treat, which originated way back 997 AD from the Italian town Gaeta, for us to share. Every year, we also look for a new restaurant where we can have a pizza feast to celebrate. The Pizza god might have been a fan of our love story that he (or she) paved way for an amazing food haven like Project Pie to be situated just a few meters from my office.

I came, I saw and I conquered a whole pizza all by my self for the very first time and I am sharing eight slices of things you might want to know about my new favorite restaurant in this side of the city.

One outlet is already conquering thousands of taste buds and tummies. Project Pie, an artisan-inspired create-your-own-pizza opened its first and only (as of today) outlet at 515 Shaw Blvd., corner Laurel St, Wack-Wack, Mandaluyong City. It’s right in front of the new site of S&R which replaced the iconic Cherry Foodarama. It opens and closes at 10 everyday.

 Two ways to order pizza. First option is to build your own for only P285 and be the boss in choosing what cheese to put--- gorgonzola, mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan and feta--- to go along with any or all the other toppings available: pepperoni, crumbled meatballs, chicken, prosciutto, Italian sausage, bacon, Canadian bacon, green bell peppers, jalapeños, roasted red peppers, red onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, black olives, garlic, pesto, pineapple, cilantro, fresh chopped basil, artichokes, rosemary and sea salt. Twenty nine toppings on your pizza if you want.  The second option is to order by number for P245. Please refer to entry number 7 below for the details.

     Three healthy salads available for the green ones. Health buffs (who can’t resist the scent of a freshly-baked pan pizza) can grab a slice or two and order some side salad. You can have the (a) Classic Caesar composed of romaine, parmesan, croutons and Caesar dressing; (b) Mixed Greens with grilled chicken, feta, craisins, candied walnuts and raspberry vinaigrette; ot (c) Pizza Salad that contains mixed greens, grilled chicken, feta, mozzarella, tomatoes, Balmasic dressing on warm pizza dough.

      Fourth branch of the franchise and first outside USA. That’s how special this store is. The first three are in Las Vegas, San Diego and Colorado. Probably the first time an international franchise opened in Manila ahead of cosmopolitan cities like Hongkong or Singapore.  You might be salivating by now that’s why I inserted an inedible trivia in the middle of the list. 

      Five other awesome eats you can order. Parmesan & Garlic is P145 per order so does yummy desserts like Banana Nutella, Peanut Butter Nuttela, and Cinnamon Sugar. If you had too much banana lately (maybe because of too much Minions stuff), I suggest you try the Strawberry Mango Nutella which is still reasonable at P195. 

      Six ways to quench your thirst here. I will be enumerating the drinks for sale at Project Pie from the cheapest: (a) bottled water (P50); (b) bottomless Coca-Cola, China Mist iced tea (P65); domestic beer (P65); Perrier or San Pellegrino (P100); imported beer (P150) and Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay (P250). I bet my boys stopped reading at "domestic beer."

       Seven guaranteed-to-make-you-crave-for-more pizza creations that you can choose from for P245 only per whole pizza: (1) classic cheese pie; (2) signature red sauce, pepperoni, mozzarella, Italian sausage, garlic and crumbled meatballs; (3) tomato, artichoke, red onion, pesto, feta, mozzarella (white pizza); (4) sliced tomatoes, fresh chopped basil, mozzarella, parmesan, garlic (white pizza); (5) mozzarella, ricotta, gorgonzola, parmesan, cracked black pepper, olive oil, garlic, fresh chopped basil (white pizza); (6) grilled chicken, sliced red onion, cilantro, mozzarella, gorgonzola, barbecue sauce;  (7) prosciutto, caramelized onions, mozzarella and parmesan.

      Eight slices of pizza are not enough. This will probably be the words that will form in your head if not come out from your mouth after finishing your meal, while looking at the other customer at Project Pie still enjoying a few more slices on their plates.

   

Now, if you’re thinking of going out with your family, friends or officemates anytime, you might want to consider Pizza Project. Build your own pizza as you like it for a price that is friendly to your pocket.

  

Are you ready for a musical drama on TV?

I am a TV addict!

I watch the boob tube everyday. I would switch on our television set first as soon as I wake up in the morning even before I could brush my teeth or make a cup of coffee. 

As soon as I get home from work at night time, the first thing I look for in our living room is the remote control to catch the newscast or the game of my favorite basketball game. 

Well, I also have some local soap operas to follow in the evening that keeps me relax. These shows reflect Filipino life that we can relate to, with good looking characters on spotlight.

I got the privilege to meet three young stars from the GMA Artist Center who will lead a cast of proven and award-winning actors in the latest Kapuso offering "Kung Nasaan Ka Man."

Julie Anne San Jose, Kristoffer Martin and Lucho Ayala are trapped in a love triangle in this musical drama that will also showcase the amazing talents of Eula Valdez, Yayo Aguila, Rita Avila, Ronaldo Valdez and others.

Yup, you read it right. A musical drama on primetime TV. Are you ready for it?

Julie Anne said that she was challenged in this series that will replace the just concluded "Anna Karenina" and will be aired right after news program 24 Oras.

"I will play the role of a blind girl," she shared. "I found the inspiration that I needed when I met a talented blind teenager named Fatima."

She confessed that she would always listen to Fatima's album because she's in awe on how she have overcame blindness to succeed and do what she loves to do and--- singing!

Kristoffer and Lucho's characters will try to get the affection of Julie Anne in the series. Who will win? Well, that's for us to find out.

Another that gets me excited is how Julie Anne will fair in a dramatic role. There's no question about her talent for singing. Go to youtube if you are not yet a believer like me. If she manage to pull this off, she might be the next big star of GMA. Now, that will only make me more hooked on TV.

Serious about bad breath? Swish it off!

I work as a communications specialist. Most of the time, I write a lot. Sometimes when my fingers are starting to fade away from my hands because of non-stop typing, I'll consider it my cue to talk instead.

I also love talking especially if the one in front of me is attentively listening. I can talk until I know something about a topic. Well, I need to be a little "talkative" because my job requires me too. I meet people of all shapes and sizes almost everyday.

I see to it that I am presentable and smell good especially in business meetings. Thus, I am very serious in making sure that I wear the right amount of perfume or cologne and my breath smells good. Otherwise, our meeting might end up to a guessing game of what I had for lunch.

Good thing, a fresh breath is just a swish away. In case one day you are in one of those popular fast food chains eating your favorite burger (because you love the toy that comes free with it) then suddenly a client called you up asking for an emergency meeting to discuss a project. You don't have time to go back to the office but you can pass by a pharmacy or a grocery store. If you a hundred peso in your wallet, your problem is solved in a snap, or should I say, in a swish.

Introducing the Swish Breath Spray that can give you instant fresh breath in just 10 seconds!  It quickly kills germs and bacteria in the mouth to eliminate bad breath caused by eating, drinking and smoking. It is very convenient to use anytime and anywhere for a quick breath fix.

Simply spray 1 to 2 pumps into your mouth to freshen breath instantly. You will find it very economical as each bottle can last up to 100 sprays. You might be happy to know that it is absolutely alcohol-free and sugar-free. You can choose from two refreshing variants – Arctic Chill and Peppermint Fresh. Check it out in supermarkets, drugstores and convenience stores nationwide with a suggested Retail Price: Php 105.00

This new product is a great addition to Swish Mouthwash which is one of the leading brands in the local market today. I would like to share an infographic below so you can check which variant of Swish is perfect in your mouth.

Gotta go. I have a meeting to attend to. By the way, you might want to "Like" https://www.facebook.com/Unilab to get news, updates and other promotions.

Dear Baby Monique

This open letter to my daughter Monique should have been posted on August 12, her birthday. But it was only today that our Globe internet connection was fully restored after a week of "absence."

Dear Baby Monique,

Six years ago, I experienced that great feeling that defined my essence of being a man--- fatherhood.

Though my first stint as a daddy was too short, 11 hours and 46 minutes to be exact, I instantly fell in love with your shiny black hair, red lips and rosy cheeks. If not for your fragile body, you might have been the better version of your mom today.

I still regret to this day the lost chance of putting you in that lovely purple baby dresses we bought in advance for future occasions or cleaning the wall in your room that we painted pink for whatever drawings you might think of.

I miss you so much and God knows if you are only with us today, you’d have the prettiest cake and best-tasting spaghetti and fried chicken last night.

I can only send you prayers and flying kisses for now. Mommy, Charles and I love you so much!

Mwha, Mwha! Chup, chup!

Daddy Richard