The Grand Prize I Got In Gran Prix

          I always daydream about having my vacation where my dad's grew up and it's in Ilo-Ilo (Western Visayas Region). They asked me why not on my mom's place which is in Pangasinan. Honestly, we always go there every year just to visit my mom's brothers. Whenever I ask my dad that my plan is to spend our vacation in Ilo-Ilo , all he did was to say "all by yourself!". He didn't want to go there just because the place is far but the fact that all his siblings are already here in Manila. That is why we end up having our vacation in Subic and in Baguio.

          The very first thing we do when planning our vacation is to check what hotel should we get. Hotel is very important to us because we cannot start our vacation if we don't have a place to stayed in. My dad is very strict when choosing a hotel. We do have an experience of getting a nice hotel but has a poor service. There was a time also that the rooms they showed to us is so perfect before we made our reservation, but then we realized that the room we got was not so nice and has its bad smell. We promise to ourselves not to get the same Hotel as what we've got last year. And until now, getting a perfect Hotel is still a problem for us.

          Last week I got an invitation from Jeman (Orange Magazine TV) and asked me if I wanted to attend his event. I said yes without any hesitation. The event will be held in a hotel in Mabini (Malate) and it is all about "Gran Prix". I thought that the event is all about "car race" from the word "prix", but to my surprise, Gran Prix is the name of the hotel, cool!

When I finally got inside the hotel, there's this lady from the reception area who greeted and gave me a very welcoming smile. But still I am thinking, if that friendly gesture will lasts until I checked out. I just gave myself enough time to investigate on how do they deal with their customers. I need to know because my dad told me that a  friendly employee is very important than choosing for a beautiful hotel. Actually, we are not that picky, but I do believe that we have the right to be treated well as a customer. But as what I have said, there's more time for me to give my justification. hehehe... :)

          I was instructed that I should go to the 7th floor where the event is currently happening. When I got there, I saw my blogger friends, other blogger's new faces and Jeman (Orange Magazine TV) who invited me over to this event. They introduced me to Ms. Rhina Villagracia, Sales and Marketing Supervisor and the other staff of Gran Prix.

          Before the event starts, waiter gave us a glass of water and serve a cup of Monggo soup for appetizer. I love its taste, because it doesn't taste as the ordinary Monggo that my parents cooked every Friday. Then I get so excited to our main dish because they've given us a plateful of Lamb Shank. The meat is so soft and tender and yes that is my first time to eat lamb. After that they gave us a chocolate-coffee dessert, you will not be mistaken that the chocolate cake has an ingredient of coffee because of its aroma. It is so delicious, for the sweet tooth like me will enjoy that kind of dessert.

          When the staff told us that we are going to meet the person behind of that delicious foods they served, I get so excited and prepare my camera to get a picture of their chef! He was Chef Grenwin Mendoza. When I looked at him, I remember someone who's very close to me and it was my sister. hahaha... the way he stand, how he wave his hands while talking, and the way how he pushes his eyeglass avoiding it to fall. I asked if I can have a picture with him having the kind of pose which my sister's always do in front of the camera.

Me and Alex

          The event started by introducing all about Gran Prix, with that I was given an idea what does Gran Prix means. It is a French word for "Grand Price". Now I wonder what would be my grand prize in this hotel, I must find out. To let you know more about this hotel, Gran Prix is a 100% Filipino-owned company. Proud to be a Filipino! Their company has started last 2006 and has its 5 branches that is located in Boracay, Cebu, Cubao, Pasay and Tarlac. So glad that I got a chance to experience an overnight stay to their newly opened Gran Prix Manila.

deluxe

easybed

Lobby area

room entrance

suites

superior

My roommate Edel and I was assigned to stay in a De Luxe Style Room.

    

Jeman (Orange Magazine TV) with his co-host Flow and The Gran Prix Staff made a raffle contest. They are giving a free trip for Boracay for the lucky winner. I was wishing not to be called on the 12th and 11th raffle because they will get a consolation prize only. Luckily my name wasn't called but when the hosts told us that the remaining ten bloggers need to show their talent to win the 5 top placers. I just wished I was called on the 12th or 11th place so that I will not show my talent, if ever I got one. hahaha! I am so nervous and scared. Some of them did sing and others had dance, they're so good and it made me panic! then Flow called my name, it felt like a buckle of cold water poured on my body. I took my cellphone and look for a song in my playlist "I Love You Boy - by Ms. Toni Gonzaga" hahaha! when the song started to play I made an MTV out of it. I just imitated what the girl in videoke did and I was laughing while doing it. They called the 10th-6th placer and I was not yet called. I thought that my nightmare would end up but they said that the 5 remaining bloggers will have its question and answer portion. They ask us if we're given a chance to go somewhere in Philippines where would it be and why? The answer was at the first paragraph of this blog. ^_^ And I won the second prize which is a free trip to Cebu!

          After the life and death contest we headed back to our room to prepare ourselves for a happy hour with friends. Their bar was located at the roof top of their building where everyone can chill under the sky having stargazing while listening to popular songs from their live bands. After their performance , we decided to sing in videoke. Some sings and some just enjoying their food but everyone is so happy that night. Foods are so great that everyone would really appreciate. Almost 4am when we decided to sleep and to try the room assigned to us. Edel and I decided to take a picture before we check out because of the very tiring moment that night. I took a warm bath before we go to sleep. When I was on my bed, I noticed the clean smell of the sheets, blankets and pillow cases. this is what I really want, not just clean but you can also smell the cleanliness of the room.

7am. I decided to take a bath in a warm tub and I realized I fell asleep for about 15 minutes. After I took a bath and making myself pretty, I need to take some picture while waiting for Edel.

This is me and Edel waiting for our other friends.

What we have for breakfast:

What is the Gran Prix I got? An affordable, safe and clean accommodation and efficient hotel service. Plus the friendly staff and employees and a delicious food will make me say that this is the grand price everyone can get here in Gran Prix Hotel. Thank you so much Jeman (Orange magazine TV) and Gran Prix, I will tell my family about this wonderful experience and I believe that they will also love this hotel. We will never get tired anymore in choosing a hotel because only Gran Prix is the answer for a memorable vacation.

Gran Prix Branches:

Gran Prix Manila
Gran Prix Pasay
Gran Prix Quezon City
Gran Prix Tarlac
Gran Prix Cebu
Gran Prix Boracay Hideaway
Gran Prix The Sitio Boracay

*Thank you so much Sir Jeman and Sir Alex for the pictures. :)

Fly With The Flying Pig!

When we say childhood, we automatically think about our favorite cartoon character. We all know that cartoons has a major contribution in our childhood days. I remember when I was a kid my dream was to become Olive, Popeye's one great love. My mom told me that I never get tired singing "Care Bears" theme song everyday and she find it so annoying. hahaha! But she admits that if I didn't like the taste of our food, she's telling me that it was exactly the same as the Care Bears's food. Yes, it is effective!

While eating in a restaurant, there was this family trying to convince their daughter to eat the food in front of her. I wanted to tell them what they need to do just like what my mom did to me when I was a kid. If only there would be a place where cartoons blends well with their food. And "The Flying Pig" answered children's prayer.

The Flying Pig was located in Eastwood, Libis. This is also one of the "The Red Crab Restaurants". The place was inspired by a lot of superheroes but only one character, pig. You will love it's uniqueness that only a kid and a kid-at-heart can appreciate. I can't help but smile looking at those posters while eating.

I was so thankful that I got a chance to try their food for free plus the fact that I will be with my friends too.

edel, mee-i and irishell

irishell and alex

nice and flow (wow! that's a cute combination!)

jeman

Meat is not my favorite but that doesn't mean I hate it. Even if there are a lot of meat alternatives still meat is the major source of protein, and my body needs it. The Flying Pig main dish is pork. They can use all parts of a pig and can do any kind of recipe out of it.

Apple Cream Soup

Bacon Bleu Cheese Salad

Flying Pig

Patatim Pata Tom

The Pork Treasure Pot

Kung Fu Spice Spare Ribs

Cuchi Prito

Kurobota Pork Belly

Three Little Pigs Cabbage Rolls

I love the taste of their food, it is so good. I can tell that the meat is so soft and tender, theres no fight in every bite. hahaha! It is all because of the healthy young pork. Chef Peter Ayson knows that, he's the Executive Chef of The Red Crab Restaurant.

Chef Peter Ayson

I can totally say that cartoons and food blends well in "The Flying Pig". You will not just enjoy the place but their food can also bring back your childhood memories in every bite!

let's eat!