ECQ Favorite: Big Al's Cookie Jar

Big Al's has been one of the hottest brands in town when it comes to chocolate cake. I've been meaning to buy some but easily get discouraged whenever I find out that it's sold out. But I was determined to get some for Mother's Day this year and tried my best to get a slot for its May 9 pick up. And here's my Big Al's story. 

Hello, Big Al's.

Big Al's has been named as the number one chocolate cake brand in Manila by Spot.ph. Being ranked as such would make anyone's expectation shoot up. And the fact that its 100 order slots get filled in less than 30 minutes is a strong proof that it's popular among foodies. 

ECQ Favorite: Merashian

With many foodies stuck at home, several were able to unleash their hidden culinary skills and were not shy with sharing it with the very active Let's Eat Pare  Facebook group. And that's where I spotted several mouthwatering bilo-bilo posts which made me crave for it. I asked our cook to make some but we were short on ingredients and couldn't find sago or glutinous rice balls despite the two grocery runs. It was timely though that I stumbled upon Merashian. 

Hello, Merashian. 

Merashian is one of the popular home-based businesses during Manila's Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). I heard of this brand when someone from the village spearheaded mass ordering for Merashian. Its crowd favorites are its Ginataang Halo-Halo with Ube Halaya and Cheese Bilo-Bilo (PHP250, 1L | PHP350, 1.7L) and Chicken Pie (PHP600, 10 pieces).  

ECQ Favorite: Bread & Breakfast Baked Treats

I love bread! I'd usually grab a piece or two and smother it with my favorite jam for breakfast. And when I have extra time, I add some cold cuts, fresh greens, and a slice or two of cheese for a yummier sandwich. But why bother when you can have your savory baked treats by just ordering from Bread & Breakfast?

Hello, Bread & Breakfast. 

Bread & Breakfast is a new player in the growing community of home bakers. Unlike most that specialize in sweet treats, this newcomer focuses on puff pastries, rolls, and croissants. 

Figaro and Tien Ma's Now Deliver its Crowd Favorites

Being stuck at home for months may not be the ideal vacation of many. But it's not all that bad considering many brands are launching its delivery service and mouthwatering stay-at-home menu. And one new player in the food delivery service is The Figaro Group's Figaro and Tien Ma's. 

Hello, Figaro and Tien Ma's!

Surprised that these two crowd favorites are under the same umbrella? I was.

I used to frequent Figaro a lot back in college as I'd always go to Shangri-La or Megamall after class. I'd get its delectable Four Cheese Pizza or one of its filling sandwiches and pair it with its brewed iced tea. The habit stayed till my Summit Media days as Figaro had a branch conveniently located at our office lobby. 

ECQ Favorite: Mitsuyado Sei-Men's Yuzu Tsukemen

It is undeniable that the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) has made life tougher for many. But there are a few things to be thankful for. We got to spend more time with our families and had a break that we could only get back when we still had summer breaks. And ramen or noodle shops finally allowed take out orders! One of my current favorites is Mitsuyado Sei-Men's Yuzu Tsukemen. 

Hello, Mitsuyado Sei-Men.

I usually go for ramen over tsukemen as I enjoy slurping hot broth. But I occasionally order tsukemen to change things a bit. 

ECQ Favorite: Soy Bueno

I love taho. It never fails to make me smile and do quick cardio in the morning whenever I hear "tahooooo". But the lockdown caused by COVID-19 made it hard for me to get hold of my favorite morning snack. Sure, there are a bunch of online shops selling taho but most offer chilled taho which I dislike. Thankfully, I stumbled upon Soy Bueno. 

Hello, Soy Bueno. 

Soy Bueno seems to be a relatively new brand based on its social media activities. But newbie or not, this brand sure knows how to make its customers happy in the morning!

ECQ Favorite: Flourist's Chocolate Crinkles

Don't you just hate it when you have this intense craving for something but you're stuck at home? I know that there are countless online shops and apps to help us out but smaller businesses prefer to do it through online bank transfer which I never bothered to activate before. And when I had this crazy desire for chocolate crinkles, I reached out to several brands asking if they'd accept Grab Pabili. But most prefer advanced payment. Until one sensed my desperation and said yes to my request. And that was the start of my love for Flourist.

Hello, Flourist. 

Flourist is a relatively new home baker who specializes in cookies and crinkles. I noticed this brand when a handful of acquaintances posted their purchases from this store on Instagram. 

When in Boracay: Coast Boracay

Boracay is one of the most popular summer destinations in the Philippines. Its long stretch of fine white sand, scrumptious finds, and a wide range of accommodations make this island a paradise for everyone. And for this year's visit, we decided to try TripAdvisor's number 1 resort on the island which is Coast Boracay.

Hello, Coast Boracay. 

Coast is one of the newer establishments in Boracay but it didn't take long for this modern resort to get the top spot in TripAdvisor with its topnotch service. I have to admit, I was so curious when I heard that it got the coveted spot for two years in a row. This resort must be doing something right for its guests to leave in high spirits! 

Kitchen Hacks 101: Kreamy Island Pasta Sauce

Nothing beats homemade dishes. But there are times when our busy schedules keep us from having a scrumptious meal at home. I'd often go with either a sandwich or canned food when I'm in a rush. Thankfully, I discovered a new convenient way to have a great dish. Anyone up for creamy crab pasta?

Hello, Kreamy Island.

Kreamy Island is the brainchild of Brigitte Co. Launched just this January, this online shop carries two products-- Creamy Seafood Pasta Sauce and Kani Spread. 

Go! Salad Celebrates Anniversary with P99 Fresh Farm Salads

Salad was never a staple in a typical Filipino meal. It was often associated with diet and seen to be not as good as other savory dishes like fried chicken, bulalo, crispy pata and so on. But that was all in the past. Filipinos today are smarter consumers and understand the importance of greens in one's diet. And thanks to Go! Salads, it's so much easier to have a healthier lifestyle. Its promo this month makes it even more pocket-friendly too!

Hello, Go! Salads.

Go! Salads celebrates its 7th Year with a great treat for everyone! Grab your favorite Farm Fresh Salads for just PHP99 from March 13 to 17, 2020.

Truedan: A Fresher Way to Enjoy your Milk Tea

With the average consumption to be 4-5 cups of milk tea per month, it's not surprising for new foreign and local brands to open left and right. And my weak will to go milk tea-free this 2020 was obliterated when I spotted Truedan.

Hello, Truedan. 

Truedan is no newbie in the milk tea business. With a decade of expertise, it has been popular in Taiwan for its use of fresh ingredients. It was even awarded 2-star Anti Additive by the Anti Additive Association.