Coffee Shop and Restaurant in One

It's my first time to go to a coffee shop that served not only coffee but a complete array of food menu to suit their customer's discriminating taste buds.  Black Canyon Coffee launched its second branch in McKinley Hill, Taguig to cater to yuppies or people who just want to have something different. 

Black Canyon Coffee (BCC) originated from Thailand, which started operations in 1993, headed by its founder and CEO, Mr. Pravit Chitnarapong, opening the first outlet.  With its brand concept of a Thai-owned specialty coffee and International Thai menu restaurant, BCC in Thailand has over 240 outlets to date.  Because of its unique coffee shop and restaurant concept, BCC's success spills over to other Asian countries, having Singapore as its first international market followed by Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, U.A.E., Cambodia, Laos, and, of course, the Philippines.      

Please pardon my photo as I didn't cross the street to capture a better representation of the signage.  

The event was attended by media and food bloggers alike, filling the restaurant to the brim.  Thankfully, I was able to get a glimpse of the CEO from Thailand, Mr. Pravit Chitnarapong (right) and owner, Ms. Wilma Dy (left) during the presentation. 

While Ms. Grace Abues hosted the affair.  

  

After the presentation and some questions and answers, the guests were treated to a delicious buffet-style meal complete from rice, salad to the dessert.  

The following photos will speak for themselves...  

Black Canyon Coffee's Caesar Salad 

Sesame-crusted fish

The famous Pad Thai noodles with rice

Tom Yum Soup, spicy version of our Sinigang

Black Hazelnut Frappe, my finale.

I forgot to include one dish that was also part of the menu.  

It's Chicken with cashew nuts. 

One of the things that also makes me want to come back to a restaurant basically is its ambience, how comfy I would be if I were eating there.  

If I were to choose, I'd go back there and taste the other delectable dishes that Black Canyon Coffee has to offer.  Look at this photo.  Looks like he's one satisfied customer, don't you think?  I know I was.    

But if you want more of those delicious finds, take a look at what they have.  Or check out their website.  Just go to Black Canyon Coffee and you'll find what you're looking for.  Or better yet, go to their outlet in Tuscany, Upper McKinley Hill, Taguig, and see for yourself.  

UN MY WORLD Luncheon

I was browsing through this writing group I was part of last week and saw a post that was inviting bloggers to join an advocacy being done by the United Nations.  I wrote about it recently.  

As part of the advocacy, blogger colleagues and I were invited to join this luncheon at the 30th Floor of RCBC Plaza Tower 1.  I was basically late for the occasion, but was prepared to take photos of what transpired during the event.  

Ms. Cynthia Arce, the UN Millennium Campaign Coordinator, gave a presentation on what this UN advocacy is all about.  

What will be done to achieve the goals of the World We Want Campaign. 

   

Results of the survey conducted in these countries.  

The top priorities of Filipinos after the survey was conducted. 

After Ms. Arce's presentation, colleagues asked questions about helping to promote this advocacy.  

We were also introduced to Dr. Luiza Carvalho, UN Resident Coordinator, gave us more insight as to what we as bloggers could do to spread the My World Campaign and its objectives.  

There were questions raised by fellow bloggers addressed to Dr. Carvalho after her explanation of going to come up with a group of people in the blogging industry to help raise awareness of Filipinos on what people could do about this.  

Ending the conference at about a little more than 2 p.m., Dr. Carvalho left the group for another appointment.  

The outcome of this luncheon was to share this awareness with more people and have wider reach for the My World Campaign to give way to consultations and come up with a better society in the years to come.  

The World I Want

I just voted for the choices that I want for the World.  I hope my voice would be heard.  There were other choices but these were closest to my heart.  We could only choose six out of 16 best ways that I want to see in the world.     

The question was:  Which of these are most important for you and your family? It was tough to tick on which one would be most apt for my family.  So the choices I made were the basic stuff my family would need, or they're more immediate.  Did that make sense?  

Anyway, these were my choices:  

1.  Better job opportunities 

The way I would explain this would be hoping that companies would think of jobs that would allow not only a certain age of people to work like putting a bracket to it like 21 to 35 only.  That is quite not fair, right?  

And allow those people who are above 35 who have the necessary skills to work for the position they are going to apply for.  That's the problem in this country.  There's that age range that we have to consider as what I read in a Yahoo article that the Philippines has a young workforce.  

Unlike in other countries, age is NOT an issue.  It's actually discrimination.  For me, as long as the person can still work or is able to work, they still should get hired for their experience and qualifications.  I wish that would also happen in this country.  

2.  A good education

I chose a good education because these days, my kids are in good schools and yet, the professors aren't as competent as they used to be back in the old days.  I remember one time my own daughter complained to me that her professor was teaching English but dropped the subject because the professor had bad grammar.  Like "Did you brought...?"  Or the pronoun he turns to she.  What the...?  How did that professor pass the LET Exam?  I mean I'm not the greatest English-speaking person in the world but that's very basic, right?  

3.  Freedom from discrimination and persecution 

Discrimination is quite rampant in this country.  Take for example Nancy Binay.  I didn't vote for her because of her skin color.  I did not vote for her because I don't know if she has enough experience to work in the Senate. Or I'm just not interested in politics, that's another probable reason.  

Most of our commercials, actors and actresses have fair complexion.  If you're not the stereotype Mestiza, you're not considered 'pretty' in their standards.  Or if you're brown-skinned, you're easily disqualified.  That's how our mentality is here.  Not me, though.  I like morena-skinned actresses like Tetchie Agbayani, Angel Aquino and several others who don't consider their skin color to be a problem.  They're even proud of it.  We should be.  

4.  Protection from crime and violence

In this day and age, crime is very rampant in our country.  But as much as possible, I tell my kids to keep safe by going out in groups or a buddy system so that in cases of emergencies, there is someone who could call for help.  

Like what we read in the news on the Internet, worldwide, news about children getting raped and killed.  I have a little girl and I have to keep her as safe as possible.  And I am praying for a safer environment and more people who would protect ordinary citizens like us.  

5.  Better healthcare

Well, in our case, health care is when you are able to afford paying an HMO, especially when you are employed.  But people who are unemployed, what then?  Health care is not a priority as hospital bills are so expensive that less-than-average people couldn't afford a ward.  Geez. 

6.  Affordable and nutritious food

Food is one of those things that people need to survive aside from having shelter, clothing, work, et cetera.  So we need more affordable foods like fruits, vegetables and meat.  Like if a person wants to go on a diet, his/her food would be priced highly because these are really costly, if the person is choosy and would buy it from a supermarket.  How could everyone have that nutritious and affordable food when most people buy cheap food in the ordinary markets, either wet or dry?

Vegetables are cheaper in the dry markets.  The special foods are found in high-class supermarkets.  Only the rich could afford those delicious food.  

Those are my top six.  What about you?  What's important for your family?  Take a peek and choose for yourself what your priorities are for your family.  The United Nations wants to hear from you.  Go to this page and vote for what's closest to your heart.  It will just take a few minutes of your time.  It's going to be worth it.  

   

Writing Completes Me

                Writing completes me, if I were to answer the question why I love writing.  It gives me a sense of wholeness that I could easily express my thoughts and ideas well, even to the point of totally getting rid of the ill-feelings I have about someone when I write a letter to that person but not giving the letter.  

           Without writing, maybe I would always have some pent-up anger locked up inside me and probably vent it out on someone or something.  But because of writing, I was able to release all the negative energies that were swelling up inside.   That's why I love writing. 

But that's just the tip of the iceberg.  Lucky for me, because of my love for writing, I was able to interview some celebrities like Cynthia Luster, Hans Montenegro, Diether Ocampo, Piolo Pascual and, Jolina Magdangal and found out what made them tick if they're not busy with showbiz.  And got my byline. 

          A successful creative entrepreneur.  That's a new coined phrase that stems from people who are in business and are also into writing.  I know people who are already doing that and are successful.  I believe that for a person to be in business and be a creative entrepreneur goes hand in hand.

          A lot of bloggers these days have their own websites and they earn money from blogging.  They go to a restaurant, a place or experience something, they write about it and get paid for that piece of article.  They invite other people to read about their blog and get hits for that page and that’s where they get known for.  And if a blogger gets to write about an event every day, to me, that is being successful in being a blogger-creative entrepreneur.  Your name gets around the blogosphere. 

          I also got to be invited by organizers of events and write about the event and got paid for that piece of writing in my blog.  I believe that’s one aspect of how I can earn money for my blog.  I have to find my niche, let people know I can write and have a blog, get people to invite me to their events and write about them. 

          I’m sure there are other ways to make money through writing.  One can apply for a freelance writing stint online, that’s one way.  If you have a bottomless pit of ideas for writing, that’s great.    

          There is also another way to earn money, these writers are called spinners.  They would re-write articles that have already been written.  As long as it would pass Copyscape, they’re good to go as plagiarism is definitely a no-no.

          But this isn’t what I like about writing.  It’s not my cup of tea.  I would rather write an original article with my own writing style for others to get an idea how I express myself in writing and appreciate the way I write.  For me, that’s one way to gauge what a good writer is.        

 

            

A Typing Test

I just worked on this test.  It's amazing. 

Visit the Typing Test and try!

Chinese New Year Tarot Card Reading

Made a tarot card reading for the Chinese New Year and it all pointed to businesses.  For families in business, your business may prosper this year.  All roads point to families, emphasis on that, actually.  


But in general, for businesses that have been established, it will be successful.    


Although there may be tough competition present.  And if this persists, this shouldn't be a hindrance to being successful and making the right choices.  If you stumble and fall, there's nothing else to do but stand up, right? 


Then old ideas/choices/decisions have to be set aside.  It's time to make new ones and learn from the past. Changes will definitely occur.  Things will turn out for the better if changes are allowed to happen.     

Definitely, knowledge has been gained from those errors done that's why new ideas/choices have to replace old ones.  It is the start of a better journey. 


There may be people who want the easy way out.  But in life, there are no short cuts.  You just have to do the right thing to avoid unwanted circumstances. 


If there are still errors after making choices, one has to think things through and regain energy to face life once more.  


In summary, businesses will proceed and succeed as long as new ideas come forth and lessons have been learned.    


I may not be an authority on these matters, I'm just sharing a piece of my mind.  It may or may not be applicable to any one of you, but it may help most of you.  It's just my Chinese New Year reading.  


As I always say, "Only God knows the future and it is you who make the final decisions." 

A First-time Tarot Card Reading Event

It all happened last year in this event sponsored by www.herword.com.  I was invited to do Tarot Card readings for their clients and readers.  I was kind of scared at first because it will be my first time to go public with my tarot card readings.  I was scared because I didn't know what to expect when I'm there.  I mean I was reading for friends already but in public?  

I was one scaredy cat.  Haha.  But I couldn't resist to try it because it was already an invitation from www.herword.com and you don't get an invitation from anyone that often, right?  So, I met with the people behind herword and we all agreed on what we're going to do during the event. 

Okay, so my call time there was from 2 p.m. up to 6 p.m.  I arrived there late.  And the people who reserved for the readings were already waiting.  As I sat down in the booth, Miss Melody briefed me in on how things will go.  She had a list of people already and would start texting them as soon as I got in.  

That's how it started.  I had a table covered with white cloth and a chair.  I put down my bag beside me on the floor.  I have to keep watch on it because there were some people there who lost some things, as Ms. Melody warned me.  

I had to prepare myself for the line because I was running late so I had to get started with the first readee of the day.  There wasn't any 5-minute breaks, as planned, anymore because there were like 25 people or so who wanted their readings.  I would let them shuffle the cards, cut it into 3 and let them pick 10 cards.  That's how I would do it.  

I would then look at each of the cards laid out and read to the person in front of me.  I would also take a look at the person's reaction, whether it's doubtful or trusting, yes, I could feel that in the person.  Usually, I would ask her, "Is that true?" or "Was that correct?"  And they would respond in a way that made me feel contented.  

At times, when I would ask about a certain person in their life, the person would just be teary-eyed, can you believe that?  I couldn't because I didn't know that that person I mentioned was someone who really made a dent in their life.  There was one who really had tears roll down her cheeks.  And I had to comfort her and tell her, "I'm sorry, I didn't know and I didn't mean to make you cry.  I saw it in the cards."  

Yes, that's what happened.  I really didn't expect that.  Well, there are some things that would really surprise you and take you aback.  But that's part of life, right? 

Anyway, there was a client who was begging to have their tarot cards read because they said they came all the way from Manila and they want answers to their questions.  The time was already like 6:30 or something and I was about to wrap things up.  But they begged that I stay and read for them.  To which, I gave in to their request.  

Neither did I expect that they would narrate to me their whole life story, which I really wish I could do something about.  They trusted me about this and I was secretly hoping that they would be successful in whatever they will do.  With that, I wrapped things up and had dinner.  

I was with my daughter, Willi-Ann, and we were looking around the booths at the event.  

  

This is what I found while Willi-Ann and I were looking around.  Just couldn't resist taking a snapshot of the blue pendant.   

There were also some interesting items on sale.  I wanted to get one but my budget didn't permit me to do so.  

Oh, well, I just love to look at these beautiful things because it's either they're colorful or they're glittery.  Anything that glitters is very attractive to me.  



To continue with my experience as a public tarot card reader, my readings didn't actually stop there.  After Willi-Ann and I went around, we met some more people who recognized me as the tarot card reader and asked to have their cards read.  To my amazement, I agreed, as I was already tired from reading almost half the day.  

I still read for some people, in different places this time.  Either in their booth or just outside a restaurant where there were tables and chairs.  I was really surprised that some of the readees were of Chinese descent, and the rest were mostly Filipinos.  

I actually didn't expect a lot of people wanted their "fortunes" read.  There were even questions like, "Will I have a boyfriend?" or "Will our business prosper?" and other questions that a person could think of during a reading.  

I told them that my readings usually revolved around their present, some things in the past and the future.  I don't usually answer questions.  It usually depended on the cards they picked.  That's where I get the answers from.  

All in all, it was a successful day.  I should have written about this right after the event itself.  But it doesn't matter.  I just wanted to share this experience with others since it was a first for me.  

I hope I didn't bore you.  If you want readings read and posted on the column, go to www.herword.com on the Mystic Readings page and follow instructions there.  I will see what I can do for you.  

Thank you very much.