PITSTOP: Arya Persian Restaurant

I was on leave and decided to meet a friend for so many years, Liz to catch up with so many things. After her gym and my shopping, we head to an Asian inspired restaurant for we were craving for Asian food. At first, we thought of dining at a Thai Resto but they were closed that time and only served Vietnamese food. But since the ambiance was a bit casual, we found a resto nearby that serves Persian food. It's Arya Persian Restaurant in Robinson's Place Midtown. 

I only know kebab for a Persian food so I didn't miss it but we had to ask the waiter to explain the differences in the menu for there were terms we didn't undertstand. The taste of their beef and chicken kebabs was excellent and the pita bread with garlic and chili sauce provided that Persian kick.

It's reasonably priced for P 300+ per meal but the experience trying something new and see a good friend made the experience complete.

Arya Persian Resturant is located at the 2nd Level of the Robinson's Midtown. 

FOOT STEPS: Iloilo and Guimaras for only P 300+

Yup, we'll only pay P 300+ for a two-way trip to Iloilo on February. Thanks to the December 25-26 seat sale of Cebu Pacific. They offered limited seats for travels made from February to March. It was a feast! We were just finalizing our plans to go to Davao for less than 500 pesos but when I was about to refresh their website, it's gone! It sold like pancakes so we ended up booking for an Iloilo flight and will go to Guimaras just to avail the promo. 

Hope Cebu Pacific would offer new year seat sale. For more information, you may go to www.cebupacificair.com. 

By the way, if you know places of interest and cheap but clean accomodation in Iloilo and Guimaras feel free to post. We don't know yet how to travel from Iloilo Airport to Guimaras. hehe...

PITSTOP: Harbor View, San Miguel by the Bay

After the coolest party (ahaha..), we decided to eat because the food was not enough for us. As we walked along the San Miguel by the Bay, we end up eating Harbor View Resturant. It's right in front of the Imax Theater in SM Mall of Asia. 

We ordered Binagoongang Baboy which is a bit spicy but has crunchy pork, breaded oysters with veggies which taste like tempura with that usual oyster taste, and spaghetti with beef meat balls (I love it). 

They have a promo of six beers for P 350 with a choice of pulutan. 

Christmas at San Miguel by the Bay

We just attended the "so-called" coolest party on ice (hehe), but our gastronomic needs and boredom led us to San Miguel by the Bay right at the back of SM Mall of Asia. It is obvious that beers are all San Mig products as this is considered as the new Bay Walk when the mayor of Manila ordered the closure of the strip of restos along Roxas Blvd. 

I miss Bay Walk but I don't mind having this new bay strip because it's a well-planned place because the structures of restos are of same sizes since they have their respective stalls (units). It's safer for me because it's in a privately-run property and there's is a clean rest room. hehe...

One can notice the giant Christmas tree made of steels as you walk along the strip. What a good way to end the night!

SMX Convention Center

SMX Convention Center, located in Mall of Asia Complex in Bay Area, Pasay City is a world-class venue for different conferences, events and functions. It is the country's newest and larget privately-rum exhibition and convention center. 

It is the venue of the"so-called" coolest party on ice, Hailstorm. Hehe..

PITSTOP: Going Chinese

We're number one and that called for a celebration. Living a philosophy of 3M: Mura, Madami, Masarap; we've found this place that has been in existence since the 1980's. It has beem a favorite venue for weddings and events for the past 30 years with function rooms that can accomodate from 10 to 850 persons. This time, we satisfied our hunger Chinese style. 

The place? Aberdeen

The Big Dome and The Green Archers

There's no place like the Araneta Coliseum for big collegiate games such as the UAAP. The Big Dome is obviously not enough for fans to watch basketball games expecially the rivalry between De La Salle Green Archers and Ateneo.

I was so fortunate that time enabled me to follow the Season 71 of the UAAP and all the games of DLSU Green Archers. Though it didn’t turn out the way the Lasallian Community expected, the Green Archers gave a good show and over achieved given the limitation. I was able to watch the 1st round DLSU-NU, 2nd round DLSU-Ateneo, FInal Four, and Finals Series.

Though Ateneo thought they would have dominance of the collegiate leagues this year, it ain’t over till the fat lady sings. Just today, the De La Salle Green Archers beat Ateneo (71-62) in the finals of the Philippine Collegiate Championship League which is considered as the mother of all leagues because it goes beyond UAAP and NCAA. Off course I also watched it live even if friends were not available to join me. The champion of this tournament will represent the country in the Universiade (World University Games) baskeball tournamanet in Serbia.

The De La Salle Green Archers had beaten University of San Carlos, University of the East and San Beda College before having a date with Ateneo to spoil the Blue’s short lived dominance. I find time to watch the PCCL finals because this is the last stand of JV Casio in the collegiate league wearing DLSU Green Archer Jersey. He did not disappoint us together with the rest of the team.

Looking forward for another year of collegiate basketball games since the Green Archers are relatively intact with Rico leading another campaign. I enjoy watching collegiate games instead of professional games because it includes heart and pride for the glory of one's school. Though once in a while I get to watch Sunday Salvacion, who was from DLSU-College of Saint Benilde, doing good stuff for Barangay Ginebra Kings. His dominance led to the Senior Baskeball Championship of DLS-CSB in NCAA in 2001, three years after the school joined the league.

Though it may be a bitter sweet year, the green and white and the entire Lasallian community continuously fight to keep its glory bright and never shall we fail...

Hail to thee, our Alma Mater. Animo La Salle! Animo Benilde!