Dimsum, Savory Meals and Afternoon Tea at MODERN SHANG

It's like clockwork to go to MODERN SHANG after church or just strolling around the mall for the love of dimsum and savory meals. You know you're going to a legit one when much of the diners are actual Chinese and see them enjoy the meals in store. Recently, they're given us much more reason to go there as they launch their "Afternoon Tea" that only costs Php 400- Php 600 and is already good for 2-4 people. With dimsum, noodles, even pudgy dessert items, it can surely fill you up without breaking the bank.

These were what we tried at the MODERN SHANG branch in Greenbelt 5 a few days ago. They spruced up the place and I must say, the modern Chinese French look felt quite bougie, I liked it a lot. You won't be disappointed bringing in friends and family because by any standards, they'll find it cool. The food too is pretty solid, as they've been doing these for several years, I think they've had the hang of things early on and made sure their dimsum choices are above grade. I actually had seconds on some of them and contemplated to have a few more because it was that good.

Vegetable Dumplings

Meat Buns

Har Gow

Chicken Feet

Shrimp and Pork Siu Mai

Salted Egg Custard Bun

Xiao Long Bao

My personal favorite, the Hot and Sour Soup

Salted Egg Shrimp (ordered a la carte)

They've got good drinks too, this was Citrus and Mint.

The Afternoon Tea sets cost almost Php 600 and can save you almost Php 300

There's really more on the menu but I think they'll make a hit with the "Afternoon Tea" meals they have listed on it. It's got the right amount of protein and carbs, dimsum items that anyone would find filling at that price.This is only served from 3-6PM on weekdays, totally worth it.

MODERN SHANG is at the Greenbelt 5's 2nd Floor, They also have branches around Metro Manila which serve the same menu, but I would strongly suggest you give this branch a visit. It looks fresh and modern, and your family will love it too!

Taiwan Bubble Tea Craze Hits Davao

With the advent of the bubble tea craze, Davao is definitely following suit. Countless business owners are setting up shop and need quality raw materials. Good thing there are highly responsive after-sales support from the best manufacturers and suppliers in Taiwan.

Recently, they opened the Taiwan Bubble Tea Pavilion at the Taiwan Expo 2019 last November 8-9, 2019 at the SMX Convention Center Davao. It was orchestrated by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA). During the event, they featured member companies of the Taiwan Bubble Tea Alliance, an organization established in 2017 to unify and boost the collective strength of over 125 bubble milk tea vendors and industrial firms in the country. From the way things are going, they see potential of growth in the Philippines and Davao is no exception.

They called it "Taiwan Bubble Tea, Bubble Up Your Life!". Boba and Bubble tea fans, business franchisees and startup entrepreneurs in Davao got to see and taste the latest products from Taiwan. Hundreds of them went to the event and sampled the best products from the beautiful island. Patrons got to taste and feel the difference of their bubble tea products and compared them to existing ones in the country, of course it had to be done!

They also showcased where to get raw materials, packaging, equipment, total solution and store chains. It was participated by members Good Young Co. Ltd., Mr. Sun International Tea Chain Co. Ltd. (Red Sun) and Great Eastern Food Co. Ltd. They all shared their expertise.

After the event, at least 35 Davao business owners have expressed interest in partnering with the Taiwan Bubble Tea Alliance for future endeavors. There were also numerous inquiries from other visitors about franchising popular bubble tea brands. They also are eager to establish new concepts to make Taiwan bubble tea products more appealing and enjoyable for the Filipino taste.

The Taiwan Bubble Tea Alliance and TAITRA are hopeful that this event could start more partnerships with Filipino entrepreneurs. The exhibition also served as an excellent opportunity for business owners to connect with Taiwan suppliers. If you want to know more you may contact the Taiwan Trade Center Manila hotline at (02) 551-7281/551-7349/551-7339. You can also check out manila.taiwantrade.com or the TAITRA Manila Facebook page facebook.com/taiwantradecentermanila for updates about their events.

Serenitea Trivia Nights Tour

Serenitea has been a hit in my books. With their Brown Sugar Taho becoming a staple every visit, I’ve also convinced my whole family to love it too. Not that they needed convincing but pretty much, you can expect we’re going back. Their other milkteas and fruit tea blends are also best sellers, but the brand has since launched several food items to go with your drink. They’ve done a remarkable job and take pride in these Taiwan inspired snacks. Though just recently, they have launched the Jumbo Snacks size of the Pepper Corn, Wings, Pepper Tofu, Thai Tofu, Fries and Dip and Chicken Chops. It’s basically double the size but you get it cheaper versus ordering two of the regular sizes ones. Isn’t that neat?

Plus a new activity is popping up on several Serenitea stores. It’s called SERENITEA TRIBIA NIGHTS which will happen in selected Mega Manila branches. If you’re a couple, or going with barkadas, just get about 5 people in your team to join. Just pay 300 bucks and you’ll get 300 GC consumable for the night, a Serenitea x Sesame Street Giveaway and Serenitea merch. We tried it out for fun and winning was just in our dna hahaha!

If you win like we did, you get to take home Serenitea merchandise, 300 Serenitea GC’s with no expiry and legit Sesame Street Merchandise. It’s like really paying for your usual bill, but enjoying the game and the chance to win fun Sesame Street items! Just look at my awesome bedroom slippers!

This will happen in Serenitea branches in UP Town Center on August 22, Robinsons Gamma on August 29, Resorts World on September 5, Banawe on September 12, San Juan on September 19, Congressional on September 26, Exchange Regency on October 3, Greenfield on October 10 and Festival Mall on October 17. Make sure you register your team early (2 weeks) on branches mentioned because this will be an awesome way to have fun with friends, and your family! I think I’ll join the one in Banawe which is kinda near me. You should brush up on General Info, Hollywood Movies, Tech, Fashion, Local Showbiz, Music, Pop Culture, Food and your School Subjects. I mean, who doesn’t wanna have Big Bird, or Elmo, or Cookie Monster. I love it!

Milk Tea Fix at Sugar Panda Abreeza Mall

It's so hot outside that you just wanna stay indoors and let the hours pass in Davao City. That's exactly why we are here in Sugar Panda, at Abreeza Mall's third floor for our own sanity, and our Milk Tea fix.

There are tons of brands out there but this one seems special because they are serving Taiwan's #1 drink, so we indulged in having some of their best sellers. First off, I like their containers because they seem to be reusable, perhaps you can just wash this off and prepare something hot later on, but since we are a little at the end of summer, and it's very humid in the Philippines, we might as well try this joint out.

Lychee Boba Milk Tea is fruity and more on the sweet side. If you love cold lychees, this would be a nice substitute.

I ordered this Brown Sugar Boba Milk with Cream Mousse. It's not that sweet (although you can ask for sugar levels), and you'll taste more of their products on the milky side rather than tea. They barely have lines in the mid afternoon so you should prolly go there around that time.

This is their Taro Boba Milk Tea. I actually like Taro but again they made this on the milky creamy side and you'll feel a little hint of earthy taro flavor with this one. Don't be afraid to try new stuff, this one is easy.

This is their Wintermelon Boba Milk Tea, which had a more caramely flavor profile. If you don't know what to order, play safe and order this one.

So if you're looking for your Milktea fix and you're trapped in Davao, try Sugar Panda out. It's not overly sweet and VERY affordable. 

You can't go wrong with good Milktea, if you want it on the milky side rather than the tea, they got you covered.

Brewed To Order, Good Milk Tea at PRESOTEA

PRESOTEA has just set up shop at Robinsons Magnolia's second floor. I thought it was going to be another run of the mill Milk tea shop but no, the difference is, the way they actually make each cup. What do I mean? It stems from the name of the shop, "Preso" is from the term Espresso which is the machine they use as they brew the different teas they have in the store.

This brand from Taiwan makes sure your tea is brewed as you order, done fresh pressed on the machine (which they had designed specifically for this use) much like when you prepare espresso on it. I have favorites but I am gearing more on the fruity varieties they have on the menu. They have a lot of choices and for those who are no fans of sugar, they have liquid stevia too. But I don't think it is too sweet to begin with. Because it is freshly prepared like that you can still genuinely taste the tea leaves. I love the black tea based ones and the roasted Japanese rice varieties which are also best sellers.

I ordered the drink they call PPJ Milk Tea which stands for Pearl, Pudding and Jelly. If you are the type of trying to skip lunch or a little hungry, this thing will fill you up in no time. I felt full, because this will surely satisfy those who love toppings on their tea. Their teas also come in two sizes, they also cook the toppings on the spot by batches so you are sure you get it fresh everyday. 

They also have ample amount of seating on the side of the store, so if you want to hang out with friends or family, you're more than welcome to do that!

This is the Signature Fruit Tea Fusion, a dream concoction for me and my fruit loving taste buds. It is very light, very refreshing, so if it's too hot outside and the air conditioning isn't enough, go and get this one from PRESOTEA. It's also got fruit bits, passion fruit seeds which I adore. If I were to name my favorite, it would be a split decision between this and the Japanese Milk Tea Macchiato.

Now go rush to this newly opened branch at the 2nd floor of Robinsons Magnolia and quench your thirst with this good Taiwanese treat available now in the Philippines. You can also order this via Honest we because it's there too! You deserve the best of course!

KUMAGCOW

Fresh Blogs Fast

Tony Labrusca for Deja Blend

When you hear Tony Labrusca now, what do you usually think about? Watched him during the BoybandPH stint, albeit not winning the competition, he was destined for stardome. An illustrious career in showbusiness, several projects and shows under his belt, a few movies here and there, and now not just an endorsement, but a part of this business called DEJA BLEND. 

Deja Blend means already blended, which is something they've been working on in the past few years. They are so confident that they have perfected the flavors they have come out with and pretty much they are putting their names and this personality on the line. This person may have come from a reality show, impressed people and has a career in the making. He is officially investing in this beverage brand under WBC Food Kiosk they call DEJA BLEND The Perfect Blend. He has chosen to get involved in this as he sees showbusiness might turn out not to be forever. He's preparing for his own future.

Tony says "I am in showbiz but I want to secure my future, the next option for me was putting up a business. I'm happy to be part of the Deja Blend Family. I met him years ago (the owner and CEO) and when I asked to venture with him, they got me to do this. I feel like everything happens for a reason, I don't compare myself and I try to stay grateful, with Gods grace. I want to secure the life of my family and this was a no brainer. I am doing three movies this year, hopefully finish them all including indie movies. The third one is a secret. This is a huge opporunity and I just came at the right time. As for the Darna movie I am not sure yet, if I am to be chosen it would really be an honor. For Cinemalaya I am doing ML, it stands for Martial Law and it will be an interesting movie. It is timely, a thriller, I don't want to spoil things but it will be with me and Tito Eddie Garcia. He's the man, a new actor working with him, I learned a lot to bring out emotion because I was really afraid of him even though he's a very nice guy. The Cinema One film is a thriller too, in sports, I play a gymnast with Joem Bascon. This is a sports erotic thriller, something that would be crazy and will shock you guys, it's an amazing project because it's a messed up movie - I'll just sag there is a nymphomaniac. You'll see. We'll have a trailer too, one's a safe one and one that's red. Everything that is going to be shown has a reason for it, be shot artistically. My image is wholesome but I take movies seriously, I want to show people that I want to earn my spot seriously. When I was in highschool I had to take entrepreneurial class, I feel when it's my time it's my time. I'm not the most business savvy person so I need all the help I can get managing my finances." 

Deja Blend is concentrating on 4 drink categories right now, the pearl teas, the Frapuccino, the milk teas and the Lemonoids. They want to work with entrepreneurs, Filipinos outside the country too and help you put up your own franchise. You may talk to their franchise team if you are eager to get your business started. 

Their tea is not that sweet, they want it that way and you could customize sugar levels in every store. Branches are in Taytay, one in front of UE Dentistry building in Recto- soon in 999 Divisoria Mall, and others to follow soon. "For 550 K (their franchise fee) you can enter and manage it, we are lower than usual businesses because we have suppliers. Sell it for 60-70-80, people can earn a lot. This includes training, manpower management, but accounting will be yours. After your ROI, we will plan many things for you. We will also have activations, it will have Tony involved in it so you will see him more. You may search for us in Facebook just put in Deja Blend and I'll personally answer your queries." says JR Cruz, the Operator and Owner of WBC Food Kiosk.

For what it's worth, Tony knows how to market himself, trying different things, shooting while the iron is hot. He's one of the most good looking actors this country has seen, he can also sing, and now even manage an up and coming brand that he surely believes in. 

I tried it myself and those Lemonoids and best selling teas really hit the spot, I envy him for doing these things even if he's so busy with his current commitments. You'll love him even more now that he's starting to grow his business. He's very down to earth too, I am glad to have been able to talk to him even for a few minutes. 

Contact them through Facebook at Deja Blends and get your own business running! It's darn good!