Old Vine Grille and Kuse in Venice Piazza, Finally

My long wait is over! I've finally tried eating at Old Vine Grille and Kuse, both located inside the Venice Piazza in McKinley Hill the Fort. Though my office is just across the said establishments, it was only last July 20 that I got to try their dishes -- thanks to my college friends Francis, Jessica, Evita, Stacey, Tsai (and his GF Diana) who paid me a visit that night.

Old Vine Grille and Kuse are managed by the same owners, occupying two adjacent areas and allowing cross-ordering. Old Vine Grille specializes in steaks and almost has the same menu as that of Chef's Quarter, while Kuse offers delectable Filipino dishes. Both establishments also offer 30% discount if you dine in the Al Fresco area, which is available 9pm onwards from Monday to Sunday.

Interiors and Ambiance. The restaurant is semi-darkly lit and spacious enough to accommodate more than 50 people (with a function room available for reservation).

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Gary Valenciano As One with Martin Nievera

It took 10 months before Gary Valenciano and Martin Nievera were able to repeat their first "As 1" concert, this time at the Araneta Coliseum.

I was privileged to watch them for the second time, with a seat better than last time's. Both Gary and Martin have proven time and again that they indeed deserve their titles Mr. Pure Energy and Concert King, respectively. Their performances brought the house dancing, singing, and shouting for more.

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Snickers Hunger Buster Challenge is ON

You love games don’t you? You love winning prizes don’t you? Yes? Yes. The chocolate we love is bringing us the SNICKERS Hunger Buster Challenge! If you are a citizen of Singapore, Malaysia or the Philippines and aged 18 y/o and above, the challenge is on for you.

For your information, the SNICKERS City has been robbed of SNICKERS bar and the people have lost their energies. All you have to do is to help restore the people of its energy by playing two easy games from July 8 to August 21, 2010.

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Fun Travels with M&M's

I myself am fond of traveling locally and internationally. With these travels, the essentials are of course the luggage bag for most my clothes and bathroom needs, a sling or messenger bag for the things I bring while I walk, and a luggage tag for easy identification of my bags.

M&M’s is helping me and you to travel with fun as they give away cool travel accessories – M&M’s luggage tag, M&M’s backpack, and M&M’s sling cum massager bag. These will surely make you look more like the fun globe trotter that you are.

So how do you join and become the lucky owner of these travel goodies?

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Delifrance introduces Plate of the Day

Delifrance now offers a complete meal at Php159! The different gourmet value meals, which they call "Plate of the Day" was introduced last June 7, 2010 and is available at selected branches.

A surprise awaits diners because there will only be one featured "Plate of the Day" available everyday -- meaning foodies won't know what's available until you're actually there. It could either be any of the 5 variants:

1. Chicken Bourbon - Succulent marinated chicken, flame grilled with Bourbon Sauce, Herbed Rice and Baked Tomato
2. Beef Oriental - Premium beef in mushroom gravy, Herbed Rice and Baked Tomato
3. Fish Pomodoro - Crispy fish topped with cheesy tomato sauce, Herbed rice and Baked Tomato

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AVATAR Special Limited Edition on August 27

The highest grossing film of all time, James Cameron's Avatar will have a special limited edition shown in Digital 3D and IMAX 3D cinemas starting August 27, 2010.

The Oscar and Golden Globe winning epic records over $2.7 billion in worldwide box office since it was shown last December. 20th Century Fox and James Cameron's re-release of “AVATAR: SPECIAL EDITION" will include more than eight minutes of new footage.

"Audiences repeatedly told me they wanted more of Pandora, and wished they could have stayed there longer. So we’re making that possible. AVATAR: SPECIAL EDITION will be exclusively in 3D, and will have eight minutes of never before seen footage, including new creatures and action scenes. Whether you already love the movie, or you've never seen it, with this Special Edition, you'll be seeing it like never before," comments James Cameron.

Watch it and re-experience Cameron’s history-making epic. Check out 20th Century Fox (Philippines) Facebook page for the latest news and contests.

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Tesco Music Entertains

Some people say that the music can heal the soul. The saying is proven true... well, almost true, because scientifically, music can be used as a some sort of therapy for people who have troubles sleeping or during a physiotherapy. It is scientifically proven that music could send impulses to the brain and consequently, produce a happy hormone known as 'endorphine' that encourage relaxation and gives the feel-good feeling.Basically, music are some sort of element that encourage positive moods.

So, listening to good music often could make one feel happy and enhance one's mood. However, good musics are pretty hard to come by, and music downloads are usually either expensive or restricted due to copyright issues.

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Futuristic Carpark Now in Operation

Working at McKinley Hill in the Taguig area, I have seen the green grasses and tall trees disappearing one by one. Why? The areas were cemented and made into a huge parking lot.

Thanks to the awesome invention of a futuristic car park! I now have hope again that we humans (and not cars) will get to enjoy the open areas again someday.

Budapest, Hungary is currently operating four levels of basement carpark below a public square that fronts a church. It has been said to be fully automated, very efficient and hassle-free. Signs and devices will tell you if you have already parked the car properly. There is also a machine where you can get your token to be used in redeeming your car back.

To visualize it better, view the video clip after the jump and see the futuristic carpark in operation:

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Avida Residences Dasmariñas: Offering a Better Life

Avida Land Corporation has invested time, effort, and finances to create a wonderful community in the South. Their project in Cavite called the Avida Residences Dasmariñas continues to attract middle-income families who seek to enjoy the fruits of their success and “step up” in their lives since its launch in November 2009.

Just like what Avida Land Corp. is offering in Batangas, Avida Residences Dasmariñas is great for budding families who want to invest in building dreams and creating good memories in Cavite.

The community is surrounded by greens, pocket parks, and generous open spaces. It has three model houses, namely Sabina, Rianna, and Alyanna with floor areas ranging from 50 sqm. to 80 sqm. built on lot areas ranging from 100 sqm. to 140 sqm. In addition, ready-for-occupancy units will be available for move-in by September 2010.

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LBC Helps OFWs Ensure Kids' Education

Overseas Filipino Workers or OFWs work abroad to find employment to be able to support their families back home. Wikipedia reports that they comprise about 8.7 to 11 million of Filipinos worldwide or 11% of the total population of the Philippines. The government has considered OFWs as one of the great contributors to the growing economy of the country due to the money they send back, which amounts to more than US$10 billion (in 2005).

Education is utmost important to parents. Many OFWs work hard abroad to provide for their children's tuition and other school expenses, making remittances crucial for their kids. Crucial in such away that they want to make sure their remittances arrive safely and on time.

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Do you know Lagundi?

Moms know best. My mom has been mentioning Lagundi leaves as an alternative medicine for coughs, colds, etc for the past several months. I didn't know what it was and how it can be used to cure the aforementioned illnesses, so I decided to google it.

Searching for it gave me the knowledge that Lagundi (Vitex Negundo, scientific name) is one of the ten herbal medicines endorsed by Department of Health. It should be boiled in water then mixed with any other liquid before being drank by someone sick. But an easier and tastier alternative for medication is by just purchasing ASCOF Lagundi, which is made from 100-percent Lagundi leaves as well.

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Build Your Dream Home in Batangas

What comes to mind when you say Batangas? Getaways, beaches, dive spots, and Taal Volcano amongst the many images you can imagine. But Batangas is more than just a weekend road trip.

Many Filipinos and foreigners alike have found their dream homes in Batangas for its refreshing greenery and serene environment. Thanks to Avida Land Corp., the affordable housing arm of Ayala Land, for helping make their dreams come true.

Depending on your lifestyle, Avida Land has the right home projects that will suit your needs. They have Avida Residences Sta. Monica, which is now selling ready-for-occupancy units in its Phase 3 called The Yards of Sta. Monica, in Lipa, as well as San Antonio Heights and San Rafael Estates in Sto. Tomas.

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