S A M B O | K O J I N

Last Thursday, my family and I decided to have dinner at Sambo Kojin, which is an all-you-can-eat restaurant, SM Southmall in Las Pinas. The food mostly consists of Japanese and Korean cuisine, along with some western desserts, random appetizers, and Yakiniku. However, eating here is not that simple. In order to get in, you need to make a reservation because they get a lot of customers (yes the food is that good). However, despite of this, we had to wait in line until a couple of customers are through with their meals. Fortunately, the wait did not take forever.

The ambiance is pretty simple. There are still waiters who are willing to sing you happy birthday, but they were really helpful when it comes to the buffet. At first I had no idea what to do or where to go, but they simply guided me to the sauces and plates even though I did not ask for any help. Such wonderful service if you ask me.

The grill was the best part for me. I have encountered self-cooking stations in buffets before, but this is the first time I tried cooking for myself. I had so much fun. I actually consider this as a personal achievement since I haven't cooked tuna (which is the one I cooked for myself) or any kind of fish before.

Sukiyaki 

This is what I cooked! To witness my "cooking skills" click here

This is Korean food, but the name of this skipped me (apologies).

Sorry if there aren't much pictures for this post (since I was too busy pigging out). But overall, I had a great time. I don't usually dive in when it comes to buffets, but I certainly went overboard on this one. Luckily, I did not experience any tummy sickness--or any kind of sickness-- afterwards.

Meet my hatching scale~ 

 Personally, I really enjoyed Asian cuisine with a mixture of good service. I also appreciate the fact that the place was very spacious and not too glamorous and I did not have to worry about space or dropping the food whilst going back to my table (since I am such a total klutz). For that I shall give this a place a.... 

If you'd like to try out the place, I do know that there are branches in Eastwood and SM Southmall. But you may click on their website for more details (Menu, Prices, Branches,etc.). Till the next post~ 

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Treat yourselves this Halloween to Gillian Gail Dessert Buffet!

It's nearing Halloween and what is Halloween without candy? (Answer: Not Halloween) Spoil your sweet tooth with unlimited Dessert! From snicker-doodles to Panna cotta, have as much as you can handle. I can handle a lot so this type of buffet is super sulit!

Photo source

Gillian Gail Dessert Buffet just opened in June 2014. The interiors are cutesy and comfortable with light blue & white painted walls and playfully decorated counters. The place is good to de-stress with desserts and friends. (Stressed is desserts spelled backwards!! Mind=blown)

Dessert Buffet

Php 299 (with unlimited drinks - coffee, tea, or house blend iced tea)

Php 399 (with unlimited drinks and Rice topping & sauce - salmon/chicken)

*Prices inclusive of VAT and service charge

Priced at P299-P399, you can stay and eat for a maximum of 3 hours. Just get up if you know your time is up because they didn't remind us about our time when we ate there which I think is pretty nice of them. They serve more than just desserts. Nachos, tea and coffee are included in the buffet  to cleanse your palate. Anti-sawa.                                                               

             

Dessert table was clean and colored by different types of desserts. (c) Xinnia Fadirugao for these two photos.

Service was good. The staff were nice and didn't get tired serving our tea and coffee. They'll present to you a menu where you can order the listed "chilled" or "to be prepared" desserts (inc. fried palitaw, macarons, panna cotta, crepes, and more) In this buffet, left-overs are a no-no. It's a good thing to practice because wasted food is wasted money. So remember to order only what you think you can finish. Bawal takaw-mata.

I didn't take photos of my own :( A plate of sweet  (c) Allie Dizon

*drool* My favorites include their cakes and cupcakes. Realize that a slice of cake costs P50+ somewhere and here, you can devour a whole round of cake if you can. I took advantage of this and had 3-4 slices of different flavored cakes. The pink blob in the photo was a rice crispy treat (If I remember correctly) covered in strawberry chocolate. Fruits were also available but it wasn't the right time and place to act all healthy.

Sugar for your consumption (c) Allie Dizon

Unlimited ice cream!!! If you think they have Magnum because of the photo on the freezer, then you got your hopes up. They had Cornetto and Selecta ice cream to be decorated by your choice of toppings (sprinkles, marshmallows, gummies).

Quality

I'm being super honest here. There were hits and misses. Not everything was top quality delicious but most of the ones I tasted were pretty good and delightful! I loved their cakes the most but didn't like their macarons. For a bargain price of P299, it was well worth the variety of desserts you get to taste and the overall pleasurable experience. I have yet to try their rice toppings.

Gillian Gail Dessert Buffet announced on their Facebook something special for Halloween on October 31st! Get in the Halloween spirit by dressing up and surrounding yourself with all their sweet goodies!

Location: 3rd floor The Oracle Hotel and Residences, Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City

Open from 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

Contact number: 502 3033

[Inna Paredes is a BS Tourism student at the University of the Philippines Asian Institute of Tourism who's favorite past time is watching Youtube beauty and fashion guru videos. When she isn't buried in books, she's out discovering food places with her friends and family. This girl is always, ALWAYS ready for dessert and derives great pleasure from eating gelato and dark chocolate.]

Surigao Day 2!

Bucas Grande - Sohoton Cove

Surigao Del Norte

10.18.14

This would be the most tiring day of my life.

We had our breakfast around 7pm then we rode a boat going to Sohoton Cove. First stop: cliff diving! I really never planned on doing this because I'm afraid of deep waters, but since I'm here already, I guess i have nothing to lose. I jumped from a 20ft-high ledge. Life changing experience! I love the feeling of conquering my fears!

Next stop: lunch by the white sand beach. Eat, swim, take photos, then stories full of laughters -- ahh, this is the life. Vacation mode on! I think I swam the whole day. Tiring, really. But it's super worth it, I'm thankful for this opportunity that I had the chance to see this untouched beauty of nature. A day or two isn't enough to see everything. Ugh, can’t contain my happiness!

That night, we drank tuba. It's a local alcohol made of coconut for only 50Php per gallon! We played Hep Hep Hooray and dance show down while singing karaoke.Great company, great adventure, unforgettable experience!

Will definitely go back here! Must see! Surigao was a blast!

Sumigaw sa Surigao!

 Kapihan Nature and Adventure Park
Surigao Del Norte
10.17.14

Definitely one for the books!

Ahh. Another escape from the city. I keep on escaping things. Hello thesis? Hello graduating semester? Haha. Anyways, I better start doing my achievement corner for October so that I could satisfy my craving for a successful birthday month. I'd go back to reality by November. Promise, cross my heart.

Our flight to butuan was cancelled so we were given complimentary tickets to anywhere in the Philippines, plus an overnight stay at Palm Plaza Hotel. Not bad. Relax galore before the adventure!

Tomorrow morning, 3 hour van ride from Butuan to Surigao, then another hour boat ride going to Socorro. The view was magnificent! We stayed in a pension house and all our meals were buffet! We rode habal habal going to Kapihan Nature Adventure Farm. Solid zipline plus sunset! We had our dinner and had a social night!

Fifty Shades of PINK Tourism: #uptmsgoespink!

Nowadays, our society faces issues on humanity, specifically on gender sensitivity. News about this topic have obviously made it to the headlines for the past months. It has also penetrated the internet world by hitting the top spot on the trending issues worldwide. It’s no surprise that people are really paying much interest to the awareness of the gender sensitivity in relation to its society being.

In relation to this, the University of the Philippines Tourism Management Society, being a tourism related organization, decided to host a seminar that will tackle the role of the tourism industry when it comes to the issue of gender sensitivity and equality. Several questions about the aforesaid topic were discussed by the honourable guest speaker, Mr. Manuel “Raffy” Aquino, founder of Equality.PH, core member of Ladlad Partylist and Pride March Organizer of Task Force Pride Philippines.

It’s really refreshing to have this recent issue be related to the tourism industry. As a tourism student, I find it good to have an opportunity to know the current status of Gay Tourism in the Philippine tourism sector. I learned that though we are not yet considered to be a gay-friendly destination, it’s still nice to know that there are some places in the country which are open and accommodating the LGBT community as market. Several beaches, bars and restaurants were featured in the presentation of Mr. Aquino, wherein it has been stated that LGBT community can enjoy the idea of ‘leisure’ and ‘travel’ without being discriminated and harassed. This is important because safety, security and belonging are some of the notable factors that tourists must feel when it comes to tourism and travel.

Furthermore, Mr. Aquino gave a glimpse to what is the future of Gay Tourism in the Philippines. He then honestly stated, which I agreed upon, that the future of Gay Tourism in the Philippines is not that clear. There are several reasons for this. One is that Philippines is a Catholic country, and we obviously know what is the stand of the Catholic church when it comes to the issue of gender sensitivity and LGBT community. Another is that Philippines, as a destination, is not yet ready to be totally open to cater to the LGBT community tourism-wise. Also, Filipinos, as a society per se, are not yet liberated enough to be open and accommodate LGBT travellers. But still, above all of this, the seminar ended at a positive note, hoping for the Filipinos to be more educated and acceptable when it comes to the idea of Gay Tourism, and Philippines to be more open culture-wise, to the attempt of penetrating Gay Tourism in our industry.

I, myself, am not that sure too on what will be the future for Gay Tourism, but I’m glad that UP TMS hosted an event that gave me and my fellow tourism students knowledge and awareness that we surely need being in an industry wherein service and hospitality is the up-most priority.

Here are some of the colorful photos of the event!

J. Malabi project head, K.Munoz event host, M. Febrero UP TMS CE, Mr. Raffy Aquino guest speaker, N. Camacho project head, Y.Gonzales A&R Head

TEAM ACLE with Mr. Aquino guest speaker; M.Rolloda, C.Olivera, J.Malabi, N.Camacho, Y.Gonzales, S.Abad, M.Agcaoili

Faculties and Foreign Intern also went Pink! Prof. J.Dulnuan, Prof. Mercado & Maki Kondo

Limae Perez went PINK!

Rech Sarzaba went PINK!

Alvin Patrick Sumague & Bryan Paolo Tanchoco went PINK!

C. Valle went PINK!

By @chenvalle "Fifty Shades of Pink Tourism by UPTMS: fun, informative, and socially relevant. I would have still gone here even if there were no food. I swear! Until the next ACLE :> (Wow im genuinely happy here.)" #UPTMS #ACLE1415 #ISKOnversations

Seyra Rico went PINK!

For more photos of the event, visit the UP TMS page at:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.983649661652377.1073741838.247705251913492&type=1