Have a Burger-ful New Year at Dong Juan

            As promised, here’s my take on Dong Juan’s Kimchi Burger. Mr. Barney of Dong Juan had invited me weeks ago to try it and our friend Paul has been convincing me as well. So, as soon as my last day of classes for the year ended, trying that feisty burger was first on my to-do list.

            Kimchi on a burger patty; I thought it was unique but not odd at all. I imagined it to be just like the typical match of kimchi and samgyupsal. My foodie buddy Luis thought otherwise though and I wanted to prove him wrong. Hehe.

         It was a sweet surprise to find that Mr. Barney and his wife Aubrey awaited us for lunch together at the pilot branch where it (burger affair) all began for me. The original branch is now spruced up, refurbished with new tables and chairs and the signature details of the franchise design. However, despite the polished, vibrant atmosphere, I found that they managed to retain its sentimental element.

Roof for Relief: Rebuild Homes, Rebuild Lives

            I hope it's not too late to share this but if you feel like doing something extra special this season, I think this is a great idea. After all, it is the season of giving. 

It’s been nearly two months since Typhoon Yolanda (International name: Haiyan), one of the Philippine’s deadliest typhoons recorded, swept through and ravaged Eastern Visayas and Northern Cebu, leaving thousands of families homeless and people dead. Although this was devastating, we can all be grateful for the help that everyone extended in whatever way they could, especially from the generous foreign countries who came swiftly for relief. The Filipinos themselves have proved to be truly caring and strong people who do what they can to help each other. And that makes me believe that we can all rise back up on our feet as a nation slowly but surely. 

After all the relief goods of immediate needs being distributed, there's still so much we can do. This time, let's help rebuild the lives of our fellow countrymen by donating roofs. For only P5,000 or US $120, you can already provide shelter for one family. You can also pledge it under someone's name as a gift. 

Best Cebu Blog Awards 2013 Winners

         Hello there! If you’ve read my previous post, I was a food blog finalist for Best Cebu Blog Awards 2013. Do you wanna know the results? :D

Cebu Secret Chow Update: Dong Juan, No Longer A Secret

         We all have that sole or handful (excuse my lame pun) of resto's we develop a special attachment or respect for when we've been there before it became a common name or franchise superstar. Everytime I hear the name of this particular resto, nostalgia and pride flows through me as my first memory of it flashes by in a second. 

         Dong Juan, that humble little hole-in-the-wall in Guadalupe and now a steadily growing franchise chain, is where I became a burger convert. The girl who used to give no attention to burgers was suddenly feeling butterflies in her tummy at the sight of big, juicy patties sandwiched in a bun since that day she had her first bite of Dong Juan's burger back in 2010. 

The culprit: The Dong Juan Burger

Best Cebu Blog Awards 2013: Third Time's A Charm

          Best Cebu Blog Awards (BCBA) is now on it's 6th year. They say "the third time's a charm" and coincidentally, it's my third time to be nominated and be a finalist for this annual award under the food niche. Well, I don't have any expectations or hopes this year, but I'm grateful to Khonie for whatever she sees in me or rather my blog that is worthy to be nominated for this. Thanks a bunch, Khon! :D

     The brains behind Best Cebu Blog Awards is Mark Monta of cebufitnessblog.com who founded and organized this along with the following bloggers:

Agnes Jimenez of empressofdrac.com
Bjorn Bernales of bjorncebuano.com
Gezelle Tapangan of geemiz.com
Chanel Imperial of shankybaby.blogspot.com
Rabsin dela Cruz of finlust.blogspot.com

       BCBA, for me, is somewhat the benchmark for my blog’s existence. Barely a year into blogging back in 2011, I found my blog nominated for the BCBA. And somehow, Babe for Food has been consistently nominated yearly since.

         I started blogging because I merely wanted to share my thoughts on food and