NO TO MINING IN PALAWAN: Sign your support now

This initiative is to support the local agriculture, ecotourism and anti-poverty efforts for people in Palawan. I’m totally supporting this effort. The devastating effects of Sendong in Mindanao is just a sample of what is to happen to us if we let mining companies destroy the environment.

There is nothing wrong with mining. We need the minerals for our gadgets and life-saving equipment. However, this movement aims to STOP MINING IN PROTECTED FORESTS. Mining companies have encouraged corruption at the highest levels of government. Local officials are the ONLY ONES benefiting from mining operations in the provinces. As it was with logging concessions, only government officials stood to gain from it all. Mining does not help the local economy.

The Nauru example

The Republic of Nauru is a small island in the Micronesian Islands. British and German corporations jointly exploited the island for their natural phosphate deposits. Supposed they had money deposited for the islanders that amounted more than a billion Australian dollars, which had disappeared because of corruption. So now, no money, no resources and still wallowing in poverty.

We cannot let that happen to us. Unscrupulous mining companies bribe their way into mining into virgin forests, old-growth, those untouched for millions of years. These forests protect us from drowning in our own shit. If we let these mining companies dig and destroy our mountains, oceans and seas, we are giving up our only chance to get of poverty.

Ecotourism and the Puerto Princesa example

Puerto Princesa’s leadership has been strong enough to resist and say No to Mining and look at how it has affected the people? Ecotourism has provided income and livelihoods for residents of Puerto Princesa and has also given it a place in the books as one of the seven wonders of the world. Being in the exclusive list will bring in more income for both the country and the residents of Puerto Princesa, who stand the gain the most from these efforts.

Let us help our fellow Filipinos out of poverty. Say No to Mining in Palawan. Let your voice be heard by signing up here.

December 23, 2011 В· Arpee В· 12 Comments
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,  В· Posted in: non-food, pinoylife, rants

Diabetamil: Healthy Snacking for Diabetics

Diabetes is no laughing matter. As a food blogger with diabetes, I’ve cracked so many jokes about sweets and how I should be sponsored by a candy factory. Most of the time, I say these things to lighten the dreadful feeling that I can never enjoy my favorite doughnut or chocolate drink and pastry ever again. Really, it is as sad as a rainy Monday morning in August.

Good thing for medical technology, there are delicious substitutes around. While I was at the Makati Medical Center watching over my uncle, I saw a booth in the lobby. They were giving away samples of a milk and chocolate drink specially designed for diabetics. I gave it a try and, ugh, it tasted like grass. Sorry, but I held no punches and told them politely, though quite bluntly, that their milk tasted like shit and I would rather die of gangrene than drink that shit everyday for the rest of my diabetic life. I guess I said it in a way that made the promo lady laugh, to which she whispered “pangit nga ho lasa, eh gamot naman po ito sa inyo (it does taste bad but it is medicine for you).” That’s the thing with medicine, it tastes like crap, but we have to take it.

So imagine my surprise when a friend of mine recommended Diabetamil. She suggested I give it a try, even gave me a couple of the Diabetamil cookies and a free taste of the milk. Wow, it was good. I was dubious at first. Medicine can’t taste THIS good. So I looked at the box and looked it up in the Internet and asked a few other diabetic friends and, true enough, it is as effective as it is tasty. I was telling my diabetic officemate about it, a few minutes ago prior to posting, and he said he buys Diabetamil all the time, especially the cookies, which he keeps a small pack all the time in case he gets hungry.

В At first there was Coke Zero, Pepsi Max, Sprite Zero and now Diabetamil milk and cookies! There’s sugar-free ice cream and sugar-free cake (Pasteleria Costa Brava makes those sugar-free caramel cakes) and now this! So when Diabeto asks his Mama for a cookie, no need to roll into the kitchen empty-handed.

December 15, 2011 В· Arpee В· No Comments
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,  В· Posted in: F&B, wellness

The Cheese Steak Shop at the E-Hotel Makati

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What you see here is the cozy interior of a great new dining place at 901 Arnaiz Ave, Makati City called The Cheese Steak Shop. I heard about it from friends and so I decided to give it a try. I wasn’t the least bit disappointed.

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Philly Cheese Steak started out in the early 20th Century in, of course the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia. Two entrepreneurial brothers got tired of the hotdogs they were selling, decided to grill some beef strips and loaded it on a hotdog bun with caramelized onions. As the story goes, a passerby came along and smelled the beefy sandwich and demanded that they sell him just that instead of the usual hotdog. The sandwich concoction became an overnight sensation and adding Cheez Whiz to the sandwich made it into the legend it is today. Though now many restaurants prefer to use Provolone cheese.

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When you order at the Cheese Steak Shop you need to think about the the veggies, the bread and the sauce. I like my bread not so toasted but warm, veggies to be slightly spicy and the sauce, cheesy to the max.

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I love the rolls that they use, glutinous and soft. There are choices, of course, and feel free to tell them how you want to customize your cheese steak sandwich. They have seven-inches and longer for bigger crowds, but a crowd of an appetite, the seven-incher is fine with me. Don’t forget to order onion rings on the side. Really good!

December 8, 2011 В· Arpee В· One Comment
Tags: , , , , ,  В· Posted in: F&B, restaurants

Melo’s Christmas Steak Giveaway 2011!

 

 

It’s Christmas time once again and Melo’s is going to give a Christmas Wagu dinner to three (3) lucky Melo’s FB likers. Their companions get a free Wagyu ribeye dinner. A wonderful Christmas treat and it is so easy to win.

First things first, the prize.

A Christmas Wagyu Dinner for the winner and a Wagyu Ribeye Dinner for the winner’s companion.

Next, how to win it.

  1. Like the Melo’s Facebook page.
  2. Upload a picture of you during your HAPPIEST CHRISTMAS MOMENT.
  3. Put in a short description for good measure. The best picture with the best description wins!

It’s really easy! Now, the dates to remember.

  • Last day for joining – Dec 20, 2011
  • Announcement of winners – Dec 24, 2011

So start liking the page and upload your photos now! Only one entry per facebook fan is allowed. For multiple entries wewill only consider the first upload as your entry. Prizes will be valid only at the Melo’s Westgate branch.

See theВ Melo’s facebookВ page now!

 

 

December 2, 2011 В· Arpee В· No Comments
Tags: , , , , , ,  В· Posted in: contests, restaurants

Mario’s Restaurant Turns 40

Just a year younger than I am, a “heritage restaurant” has turned 40 years and still going strong. Sadly, there is only one branch in Metro Manila and that is the one along Tomas Morato. You can’t miss it because it’s been there since it was built.

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At 40, what has changed? The decor, some of the people, some new items on the menu, but what’s important is that which did not. And that would be, the service, some of the prices on the menu and the Caesar Salad. It’s been homemade since they started serving it and that’s why many of the regular keep coming back for more. I like the Caesar’s Salad and the dressing makes all the difference.

So if you’re in the Tomas Morato area, swing by Mario’s and enjoy brunch with friends and family. Their Sunday brunch buffet is stil unrivaled at P699 per person!

December 2, 2011 В· Arpee В· No Comments
Tags: , , , , ,  В· Posted in: restaurants