Gary V: On Higher Ground at Music Museum

GARY V opens the summer season with a series of 8 concerts at the Music Museum, marking his 29th anniversary in the industry and the 25th year of his company Manila Genesis Entertainment & Management, Inc. Stricken by Type 1 juvenile diabetes for 30 years now, this unmatched performer has been a shining beacon of inspiration in the country and he remains complication-free and still, on top of his game. Gary has consistently inspired his millions of fans through his craft as a singer, musician, songwriter, video producer, dancer, actor, musical arranger and a multi-awarded television host/performer for 9 years on the undisputed top-rating musical variety show, “ASAP.” 

After visiting typhoon victims in Cagayan De Oro and Iligan for UNICEF, Gary V jumpstarted the year with a new segment on “ASAP 2012” entitled “With Love: Gary V” – a spin-off of his platinum CD under Star Records and his much-talked about television special which aired seven times on ABS-CBN and MYX in 2011 and twice on The Filipino Channel. The segment features Gary as he showcases stories of love, forgiveness, redemption, and faith while he sings songs that celebrate the beauty and goodness of humanity. “With Love Gary Valenciano,” the CD compiles the soap opera and movie theme songs which he performed and recorded for ABS-CBN and Star Cinema. Just this March, Gary, together with the ASAP team, flew to Cagayan De Oro to shoot a video with a courageous flood victim for his segment. All these efforts let led to “On Higher Ground,” a fundraiser for UNICEF and the Shining Light Foundation, two faithful partners dear to Gary V, who has been National Ambassador for UNICEF for 14 years now.

The Old Spaghetti House EXPRESS!

I was too excited to use one of the two vouchers I purchased online to experience for the first time The Old Spaghetti House Express! which happened  during the second semester of last year. Curiosity kills the cat! No not that much...just hear me out. 

Since 'menu' is said to be the heart of the food business it must deliver in order to meet the diner's expectation. Judging the menu of TOSH it looks awesome along with its interior even if it was situated at the food court level of Landmark in Trinoma. The place is a self-service kind of restaurant therefore one must get his/her own tray and fall in line patiently.

The moment we talked with the supervisor on duty who happily assist us regarding our voucher, we have already selected what we liked out of their drool-forming menu list. Everything we ordered for the very first time was either not available or they were just simply out of stock of some ingredients. We then choose and choose until we hit what they can finally offer. Whew!

Shepherd's Pie with Rice

The plating doesn't look good but I was hoping that the food would be something exceptionally tasting, but I was so wrong. It tasted just enough to make you at least full. It was comparable to eating mashed potato with some kind of  gravy on it dashed with specks of parsley.

Is T.O.S.H! posh?

This small space attracted me most. I like the colorful mural as my backdrop :)

Facade 

It was a dinner date with my mother when we hastily went here at the TOSH! Express aka The Old Spaghetti House Express  in Pearl Drive Ortigas branch. My second time using a voucher I bought online. It was Saturday night when I reserved seats for my mother and I. We hit the said place at 7pm and mind you they will close in an hour time so sort of  need to hurry or else my paid vouchers will never be put to good use. There were no guests until they closed at exactly 8pm or just after we leave so that means Mama and I were all alone at their cute dining space. The voucher I got has indeed a great deal but I was so hopeful that this time around it will be a delightful experience far from my previous one, which I will be sharing with you on a separate post. I do not expect something grand but shall I say something way better than my first experience at TOSH Landmark branch. 

To give you the overview of TOSH's dainty place I've got some pics to share with you . . .

Small counter area. TOSH Express is a self- service type of diner so you better have to fall in line to be catered by the cashier. On the left side is where the production area is.

SMACKED SNACK: Goldilocks Merienda Specials

This cheap eat yet precious moment is still very much alive in  my memory. Less than a year ago I was with three of my newly-acquainted workmates who joined together in a quick snack at Goldilocks.

The branch that we have chosen that time is newly-renovated which gave us more excitement in eating. Very long lines at the counter station never deterred us from tasting the best pinoy merienda we could afford to have at Goldilocks. We picked our seats first and rest for a while and when the line subsided we fall in line and placed our orders.  Here's what we got:

Busog sa saraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaap! Even without giving you the names of our simple plated snacks, I know for a fact that you can easily identify it. Correct me if I am wrong okay..But for the sake of transparency I am still giving you their names:

Baked Macaroni (P 75)

Bopis with steamed rice   (P 75) 
Palabok   (P 75) 
Chicken Tender Barbecue with Java Rice (P 45). 

The last one which happens to be my personal choice ia what most of us have seen in the commercial of Dingdong Dantes. Can you still recall it? With these your hard-earned money cannot be put into waste given their all-time Filipino favorites at a very affordable price. I suggest though that as part of their promotion since they have been in the business for 45 years already, why not make the merienda specials in a form of  value meal. Something that comes with a drink (or maybe with a simple dessert too) to complete the package. I'm sure everyone will chase after this deal. 

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SMACKED SNACK is yaniconquistadora's compilation of cheap eats or great snacker's find in and out of the metro and of course from the confines of her own home.  Basically this is composed of her brief reviews on anything that is considered to be a light quick meal at any given hour of the day. Any food consumed  out of elation, cravings or just any type of mood that could possibly be associated with food. Are you now ready to smack all the snacks or allow it to kiss you goodbye? Join me and lets smack 'em down!

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