Aloha Everyone,
Bistro Frequent Foodie membership includes 15 restaurants belonging to the Bistro Group. Additionally, there are 3 Spanish restaurants one of which is La Flores where we’ve had a taste of their cuisine and gracious service.
In the past, J.J. & I belonged to professional business organizations and advocacy groups. For the present, we belong to a number of airline and cruise companies as well as online hotel and travel related booking services.
When the manager who presented our bill learned that we do not have the Senior Discount Card, he offered BFF, Bistro Frequent Foodie program as a possible alternative.
The personalized card of a size of debit card contains the holder’s name, the name of the issuing restaurant and the dates of issuance and expiration. It is good for one year.
For a cost of 2,500 pesos (US$45.46) the BFF member receives:
30% off on Monday
20% off from Tuesday to Sunday
Six 250 peso off e-vouchers requiring minimum purchase of 1,000 peso for each voucher
One complimentary coffee or tea with each dining
Seniors who have the Philippines residency card receive 20% discounts by presenting their residency card plus a waiver of VAT which comes out to approximately a 32% discount. They must be 60 or older to claim their senior citizen status.
For J.J. and me who do not qualify for Filipino residency cards, BFF card is a good alternative.
Aloha -- Cathi
Aloha Everyone,
The photos on their website are excellent. They were taken during the day under a bright sun and after dark using wide angle lenses. The actual walk was short just 2.5 miles round trip. However, with light drizzles and increased humidity, it was not pleasant. For one thing, one has to take required underground pedestrian passages to go down two levels. You are able to go up using an escalator.
The total space of the Ayala Triangle Garden is approximately 2.47 acres. It is a triangular shaped, beautifully manicured public garden.
J.J. was under the impression that there will be a large, state-of-the-art shopping center. What we found instead was a newer Market Place, a supermarket which we frequent. We were able to purchase some of the provisions on our updated shopping list including a bag of Lightly Salted Popcorn, imported from Australia! Ah! It is a wonderful substitute for Skinny Pop which I have been searching for.
Oh, another thing to celebrate. Our latest load of WiFi router lasted 9 days! Amazing!
Aloha -- Cathi
Aloha Everyone,
There are three Filipino restaurants clustered within the same walkway with a serene view of the lush green vegetation, inner courtyard within the Ayala Greenbelt. Each one of these establishments is vying for potential diners luring them with their house specialties.
Within the past 10 days, J.J. and I tried all three and the verdict is in. Our favorite, in terms of the quality of food, quality of seating, quality of the premise, we give Lorenzo’s Way two thumbs up.
Actually, this restaurant is one of the places owned by the same group as the Felly-J’s. But Lorenzo’s Way’s advertised specialty, Bulalo (Beef bone marrow soup) pushed it to the top. We ordered 3 dishes, and each was perfectly prepared. J.J. was more than satisfied. Their service was extremely slow but that is due to an adjacent table filled with at least 2 dozen people all wearing reindeer horns having their Christmas office party.
There are other dishes J.J. is looking forward to trying but I would be happy having another Bulalo soup.
Aloha Everyone,
Per their official website, it states, “Alveo Land Development offer a portfolio of real estate developments that provides upscale living & working spaces within various thriving & emerging growth centers around the country….”
Their online site is shallow in providing information. The two of us must’ve been approached by at least 1/2 dozen sales agents working out of temporary kiosks located within shopping complexes. We obviously look like visitors. I try not to make eye contact by wearing my sunglasses and a face mask. Yet at a couple of instances, aggressive salesperson intercepted my path and asked if we are visiting from the USA (he heard our private conversation), and do we like the Philippines? A double positive response and I was listening to their sales pitch.
The salesperson pressed a couple of professionally produced slick brochures in my hand. They contain no information pertaining to the interior quality of the units, specific view, prices, estimated date of project completion. When asked for my contact info so that he could follow-up with my specific requirements, I declined.
I saw red flags and warning signs when this salesman stated, “We guarantee a 10-25% return of investment per annum…. The Philippine real estate market is booming, and we will not be affected by any global economic crisis. Our country has eradicated COVID, and we expect a healthy economic recovery…”
J.J. told me that most of these projects are targeted to overseas Filipinos who would like to spend their retirement in the Philippines.
If you are not generating any income but saddled with paying monthly maintenance fees including utilities, it could become a costly investment.
Aloha -- Cathi
Aloha Everyone,
In our immediate neighborhood, dogs live pampered lives. Smaller breeds of dogs are pushed in a baby carriage by private caregivers. In some of the malls, there is a rule that any canine must have a leash and a diaper. It is a bizarre sight.
J.J. and I also noticed that many of these animals are long haired breeds which are more suited for cooler climates. When we commented this to our niece Detsy, her response was interesting. She gave 3 specific reasons for owners’ preference for a pedigree, long-haired and often huge dogs such as Irish Setter and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
1). They live in an air-conditioned home and more likely have a large room assigned with its caregiver.
2). Many owners are empty nesters and regard their canines like their children. They would not hold back on the costs of caring including seeing their vets on a regular basis, visits to parlors and giving them special diet.
3). They are eager to show off their “children”.
When I asked a permission to take photos, all were more than happy to accommodate.
