La Lola owners: famous celebrity couple Nico Bolzico and Solenn Heussaff, Maria Perin & Dani Aliaga

I really had so much fun at the opening of the newest churreria shop in town: La Lola.  It is their first store in Davao and in Mindanao, having a total of 16 branches all over the Philippines. What made this event at SM Lanang Premier more exciting was the presence of its owners:  popular celebrity couple Nico Bolzico and Solenn Heussaff, Maria Perin & Dani Aliaga.

the newest  La Lola store was teeming with people on its opening day

Churros galore! we sampled over these treats during the opening event

Last week, I kinda achieved a milestone in my life as a blogger. (Naks!...lol..the word milestone has actually become a running joke in my cirle #explain)

Well, it was Araw ng Davao week and my city was bustling with happenings and events here and there. I was able to join the two-day consecutive meet and greet events sponsored by no less than GMA Kapuso TV station. I didn't have a clue what to expect but was sorta hoping to meet celebrities since it was scheduled on Davao City's 80th inaugural anniversary.

Dennis Trillo

Derrick Monasterio and Bea Binene

Dion Ignacio and Kiko Estrada

Bianca Umali and Miguel TanFelix

with Kiko (by the way-he is the son of Gary Estrada and Cheska Diaz)

fangirling with Dennis Trillo

Jolly Ginataang Mais

Summer is here.  The school year is almost closing. (and some elementary schools in the Philippines even started their summer vacation already) Wooohoo! I can almost hear you shout the word FUN. Well, what is fun without food?

Today, I am sharing a Filipino recipe that's perfect for the season~~ filling and nutritious and it is very easy to prepare: GINATAANG MAIS.

This is somewhat similar to Maja Blanca because they use common ingredients and they actually taste a bit the same.

Ginataang Mais has a porridgy-texture and is commonly prepared for breakfast or snacks, giving you the energy you need to jumpstart your activities for the day. During summer, kids and teens would usually be busy doing sports, join in art classes, camps, go to the beach and more -- this would be a great snack to come home to.




Procedure:

1. Pour the malagkit in the pot and mix with Jolly Coconut Cream and Jolly Coconut Milk. Let it boil. Constantly stir so it will not stick and burn. Add water from time to time to achieve desired consistency. Do this until the malagkit (sticky rice) is cooked.


2. Pour in the Jolly corn kernels, and simmer for 5 mins.
3. Add sugar to taste.
4. Serve and enjoy!

my finished product =)

You may serve this with fruit juice, coffee or any beverage as you please.

How about you? Do you have summer recipes in mind that you'd like to prepare for family and friends? Share it, too and let's all have a well-spent vacation from the usual hustles of school and work. <3

Ma'am Charita P . Puentespina, founder of Puentespina Orchids & Tropical Plants, Inc.- the mother company of Malagos Garden Resort

Did you know that the Philippine's first chocolate museum, the Malagos Chocolate Museum just recently opened its doors to the public?  It is located inside Malagos Garden Resort in Calinan, an hour away from downtown of Davao City.

Malagos Chocolate has been producing import-quality chocolates since 2013 and has since received recognition and awards over the years because of its distinctive taste and quality.

This has become the inspiration of the Puentespina family to put up the museum to showcase Davao's chocolate and to make it as one of the top chocolate producers of the world.

I feel honored to have been invited to witness its opening last March 8. Together with other distinguished guests, media and online influencers, we had a tour inside the museum courtesy of the the very accommodating Ms. Charisse Puentespina, the project designer of the museum.

The museum boasts of interactive cacao and chocolate-related installation that is divided into four parts: