A few Saturdays ago, Nuffnang and Nestle Fruit Selection Yogurt with Jelly held a Laughter Yoga event at the Julius Maggi Kitchen of Nestle Rockwell.  The guests were welcomed by the event’s host Mike Unson, who is one of my two top favorite stand-up comedians in the country.  I used to catch Mike in Comedy Cartel gigs, mostly at the Spicy Fingers restaurant in Greenbelt 2 but he has come in full circle since his Comedy Cartel days and is now doing TV, radio and events hosting with his stand-up comedy acts.

 

As expected, Mike opened the floor with his jesting monologue that’s wittingly funny it got the crowd stirred with laughter.  The light-hearted entertainment continued, this time with a healthy twist when Mike turned over the floor to Paolo Martin Trinidad, a certified laughter yoga instructor –the one and only in the Philippines.  

 

 

The person who got first quoted saying, “Laughter is the best medicine” knows exactly what he or she is talking about.  Paolo confirms that when done properly through right breathing techniques, laughter can actually help cure depression, facilitate blood circulation and assist in weight loss.  One of the breathing methods that the Laughter Yoga master taught is to inhale deeply through the nose and exhale longer through the same channel using your belly.  Smiling while doing this repetitively sends notes to the brain to be happy while oxygenizing your entire system.  Exhaling longer also gets rid of stale air that’s been trapped inside the body.

 

The Laughter Yoga session took away the inhibitions of the people inside the room and opened them up to proper breathing/laughing techniques.  Laughter in our lives is so vitally important mentally and equally nourishing physically when correctly performed to get the full benefits of it.  At the end of the session, I was feeling really tired and warm from the laughing exercises –but full in spirit, having communicated to my brain that I’m happy through the “act of laughing.”

  

 

After stretching out our laughing faculties, it was time to stretch out our tummies.  Refreshments of tasty snacks of pasta, fried wontons, sandwiches and tacos filled the table but the star of the show is the debut of the new Nestle Fruit Selection Yogurt with Jelly. 

 

 

Personally, the new variant got me excited since I’m a true-blue fan of Nestle Fruit Yogurt.  I started buying it off grocery shelves in 2006 while I was on a diet and continued to consume it heartily even after my diet.  My all-time favorite of course is the 0% fat yogurt in strawberry flavor (if all fat free goods taste like this, we’d be happier people) but I’ve moved from one variant to another and have also fallen in love with their mixed berries.  Colleagues see my stock pile of Nestle Yogurt in the fridge and at certain times have asked me if they can get a “cup” from my stock for their after lunch dessert or for their afternoon munchies.

 

I’m one of the happy consumers of the brand for years now that’s why when I was approached, I was okay to write an open review about their newest product -Nestle Fruit Selection Yogurt with Jelly.  It is still the smooth and creamy yogurt everyone’s familiar with that the Nestle brand continues to deliver but half of that cup is filled with a new surprise –jelly.  Yes, that translucent gelatin we’ve all come to love growing up –and for some, candied jelly is still a choice of dessert or snack.  Put the two together and get introduced to the newest product of the NFSY line, Nestle Fruit Selection Yogurt with Jelly!  It’s definitely another first from Nestle.

 

If you’re a happy consumer of Nestle Fruit Selection Yogurt just like me,

 Click Like on their Facebook Fan Page.

 

I got my first dibs of the yogurt with jelly or jello-gurt, as I would flippantly call it, at the Laughter Yoga event.  Observably, each person had their own take on how to eat this double treat.  Some cracked the soft jelly on top of the yogurt and actively mixed it with the yogurt blend at the bottom.  I took another route and gently spooned a bit of the jelly and savored its wobbly glassy texture.  My next bite consisted of a fragment of the jelly and a portion of the yogurt, tasting it together in a unifying sweet tart while enjoying the altering texture of the two components. 

 

 

The jelly has a light fruity taste while the yogurt still holds its recognizable characteristic tang with traces of strawberry sweetness.  It is twice the surprise and twice the delight!  I wonder if the Buko Pandan variant tastes the same.  That’s what I’ll figure out in the coming days.

 

With the arrival of frozen yogurt specialty parlors that have sprouted like stray mushrooms in the Metro, I’m still partial to my off-the-shelf yogurt favorite that I can just pop open and enjoy.  It’s such a lip-smacking thrill to know that Nestle Fruit Selection Yogurt continues to create delicious new twist, in this case jellicious (jelly + delicious), to excite yogurt aficionados. 

 

 

Contest Alert #1: JellyGurt Bounce Game

 

Check out the JellyGurt Bounce Game on the Facebook link below.  Just register and be the highest score recorded to win special prizes from Nestle weekly!

 

It’s as simple as catching many blue objects in the cup, but eye and hand coordination including speed are keys to strategize your way into getting high scores.  It’s so fun –it’s as exciting and enjoyable as eating your favorite NSFY at the bottom and fun jiggly jelly on top.

 

Contest runs from September 6 to October 31, 2010, 5:59 PM.

 

 

 

Contest Alert #2: Twogether Forever/Decorate It Twibbons Blogger Contest

 

Nestle will be giving away 30 jellicious cups of their newest yogurt variant for Between Bites readers.  All you have to do is join the Twogether Forever (portmanteau) game.  A Portmanteau game is a game that combines two words to create a new word.

 

 

Contest Mechanics:

 

1. This contest is open only to Metro Manila residents (prizes need to be picked up from the Fort area).

2. Go to http://www.twibbon.com/join/Jelliciously-Good and create your own twibbon.

3. Use the twibbon as your profile picture on Twitter for the duration of the contest (1 week).

             For example: http://twitter.com/maanbeee

4. The contestants must describe their NFSY with Jelly snacking experience using the portmanteau game. Was it fun, cool, odd, amazing?  We want to know!

5. Tweet your entries using this format: @blogger word1 + word2 = portmanteau #NestleFruitSelectionYogurt

             For example: @maanbeee jelly + delicious = jellicious #NestleFruitSelectionYogurt

6. Each person can send in multiple entries.

7. Winners will be chosen according to creativity.  The sponsoring agency will choose the winner.

8. There will be 2 winners and each winner will receive 15 cups of NFSY with Jelly each.

9. Within 1 week of being proclaimed, the winners can claim their prizes at the Ogilvy office at this address:

25F Picadilly Star Building

4th Avenue corner 27th Street

Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City 1634

  

 

It’s as EASY as that!  TWO contests are underway and it’s your chance to win the prizes.

 

 

Don’t forget to GRAB a chilled cup of Nestle Fruit Selection Yogurt with Jelly and start snacking on your favorite yogurt with a jelly twist!

 

 

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Related Entries:

Patting Myself on the Back

Yabba Dabba Yoggle

Comedy Cartel – Mad Max

Laugh Out Loud with Comedy Cartel

 

 

NSFY Laughter Yoga Event Album

 

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Singapore – Bali, Indonesia Series

 

Oh Hello Again Singapore (1^st of 3 Parts)

Sentosa in Singapore (2^nd of 3 Parts)

Singapore Sistah Lah

 

 

My Love Affair with Bali (1st of 3 Parts)

Memoirs of the Affair (2^nd of 3 Parts)

A Whole Lotta Bali Lovin’ (3^rd of 3 Parts)

 

 

Sneak Peek:

 

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Vietnam – Cambodia Series

 

Ho Chi Minh City’s Hidden Charm

Traveling to Cambodia

My Tuk Tuk Moment

Angkor Wat: Journey to the Lost City Begins

Inside Angkor Wat and the Beauty of Rain 

Moving to Angkor Thom Aboard Big Feet

The Bayon

The Elephant Terrace, The Leper King and Phimeanakas

Back to the Roots: Ta Prohm

More of Angkor Wat in Stills 

The Afternoon After Angkor Wat

Explore. Dream. Discover.

Stay Tuned: The Last Leg of the Cambodia Series

Returning Home to Vietnam. Coming Home to Manila

Day 4: Living La Vida Local

 

 

Sneak Peek:

 

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Macau Series

 

Peanut to Acorn (Teaser)

The Sun Shines Bright in Macau (1st of 3 Parts) 

The Sparkle of Macau (2nd of 3 Parts)

After the Jump in Macau (3rd of 3 Parts)

 

Sneak Peek:

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Singapore Series

 

Singapore and the Nuffnang Blog Awards

Day 2- Tour de Singapore Lah

Singapore in Lights

Singapore Day 3- IKEA and Connection

Indulge in Uniquely Singapore Experience

 

Sneak Peek:

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Image Source: Sexy Nomad

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Thailand Series

 

Bangkok Day 1

Thailand Day 2- Reclining Buddha, Siam Niramit and the Ping Pong Show

 

Sneak Peek:

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Malaysia

 

Malaysia Truly Asia

 

Sneak Peek:

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Hong Kong Series

 

Hong Kong Day 2- Ocean Park

Hong Kong Day 1

 

Sneak Peek:

 

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Japan

 

Japan and Jane- The Kooka Boora Tales Begin

Reminiscent- Icy Cold Japan

Reminiscent- Kagawa Perfecture Japan

Reminiscent- NTT Docomo Japan

Genky Umby Contest of Anton Diaz

 

Sneak Peek:

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Bubba and I drove to Tagaytay last Saturday and checked in at Summit Ridge Hotel around 3pm.  Right before we reached Summit Ridge, we noticed the low lying clouds from the other side of the hills and the road started to be really foggy.  Not long before I got worried about road visibility, Summit Ridge was within sight.

 

 (from Summit Ridge website)

 

Robinsons Land Corporation opened the doors of Summit Ridge Hotel in June 2009 and guests who visit Tagaytay for its picturesque view of Taal Volcano and its refreshing surroundings and want the modern convenience of a hotel have been welcomed since.  It perfectly sits atop Tagaytay Ridge that’s actually 2,000 feet above sea level –the very incentive to take a short drive to Tagaytay, cool climate.

 

Right beside the hotel is the Summit Ridge Promenade, which is a commercial complex that has quite a number of interesting restaurants that include both the new and the familiar.  The roster of dining venues includes Classic Cuisine (C2), Giligan’s restaurant, The Sizzling Pepper Steak, Ted’s Oldtimer La Paz Batchoy (perfect for cold weather) and The Coffee Beanery.  I was wondering where Sanctuario restaurant was since it wasn’t in its location near the Rotonda.  I’m glad to see that it has moved to a better location at the Summit Ridge Promenade.  

 

 

They also have a few stores for shopping and Fun Time amusement center for the kids or kids at heart.  What’s wonderful about this hotel and promenade being owned and managed by the Robinsons group is the fact that they also built a Robinsons Supermarket right next to it, which makes it so convenient to buy necessities that you may need while traveling.

 

 

Hotel staff welcomes you by the drop-off point at the car lobby.  Step into the sprawling hotel lobby of Summit Ridge that swiftly spells hotel elegance.  If only the personnel by the reception is as welcoming and friendly as the ones that greet you by the door, EVEN with a warm smile from ME and a quick pip about the weather outside, I would have definitely felt right at ease.  But no.  I’ve had friendlier and more accommodating reception from two different lodging places in Tagaytay.  I’m happy to note though that that was the only hiccup from our wonderful and relaxed stay at Summit Ridge last weekend. 

 

 

Our room reservation for that day was for a Twin Classic but since that room specifically offers two single beds, we asked to be upgraded to King Classic that has one King size bed –which is more ideal for vacationing couples. 

 

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The difference in the rates between a Twin Classic and the King is only PHP 600.  You can also get 64sqm suites at PHP 12,000 – PHP 14,000 a night with two balconies, kitchen implements, dinnerware set-up, microwave oven for your leftover food and reheating needs and a built-in kitchen hub –a complete set-up for those who travel and want to play cook or house whichever is the case. 

 

Room Rates:

Twin Classic – P6, 550

King Classic – P7, 150

Twin/ King De Luxe Room – P7, 550

Two-Bedroom Suite – P12,000

Summit Suite – P14,000

 

The 32sqm King Classic room looked bigger than its actual size.  The room is suitably equipped with 32-inch LCD TV with cable including a channel guide, in-room coffee and tea facilities, a safety box, a spacious shower, telephone, personal fridge, and split-type AC!  Best of all, which is really a come-on for folks like me who want to be connected online or do some work on the side, Summit Ridge hotel has in-room Wi-Fi Internet access!  And connection is gooooood.  *nods*

 

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Bubba enjoying the Wi Fi and plurking

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Squeaky clean bathroom with no moldy smells!

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I like that they provisioned for a bag rack

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As mentioned, every room has a balcony overlooking the beautiful and scenic Taal Lake, which is especially lovely in the morning.  Bubba spent a good time by the balcony Saturday afternoon as well as Sunday morning. 

 

Another thing that rocks about Summit Ridge is the 24-hour gym!!!  I actually brought gym clothes including my iPod and work-out gloves but incidentally, I left my new running shoes!  Bubba brought everything from head to toe for workout but guess what, the bed was too cozy that he slept in and ignored his alarm the following morning.  Folks who are gym buffs or those who have incorporated working out in their everyday lifestyle need not worry even if they stay out too late exploring Tagaytay –the gym is open anytime if you want to break out a sweat.

 

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View of the pool deck from our floor

 

During that weekend, I think there was a wedding ceremony in Tagaytay (probably Chapel on the Hill) and they decided to do the wedding reception at Summit Ridge.  Bubba and I saw the wedding car at the parking lot and guests that were dressed in the nines.  Summit Ridge also offers ballrooms for your birthday, wedding and other celebrations, as well as training and functions rooms for business seminars, conferences and team building sessions.  What better way to throw a party or an event than in the cool and breezy Tagaytay City, a natural escape from the city.

 

(from Summit Ridge website)

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That evening, we were tempted to go to Antonio’s like last time but we decided to try something new.  Bubba and I headed out to dine at Taj of Tagaytay (more on this on a separate post) and had a wonderful dinner of Mutton Biryani Rice and Chicken Vindaloo.  After stuffing ourselves silly, the comfort of our room was suddenly heavily missed that we decided to head back right after dinner.

 

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Summit Ridge Promenade offers live acoustic nights every Saturdays in its open-air lifestyle center from 7pm to 12mn.  We caught a bit of the music on our way back to the hotel.  The Sky Lounge on the roof deck is also worth a look.

 

Wine and Coco Bella Chocolates

 

That evening, Bubba and I mused whether to read our own books while drinking wine or watch a movie on his laptop.  As usual, the latter won and we were immersed with the movie, Uncertainty, starring Joseph Gordon Levitt (who I think is as deep of an actor as Heath Ledger, with deep penetrating eyes and facial expression) until midnight.  Movie somehow reminded me of Gwyneth Paltrow’s Sliding Doors.

 

 

After a long prayer for both our families, sleep beckoned us and we were off to dreamland.  A long satisfying, uninterrupted and restful sleep followed and we stretched out our arms to a beautiful sunny morning around 9am.

 

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Breakfast that gorgeous Sunday was spent at Annie’s/C2 at the ground floor of Summit Ridge Hotel.  There was a lean breakfast buffet set-up awaiting the morning people such as us. 

 

 

Bubba had a plateful helping of longganisa (local pork sausage), garlic rice, 2 sunny side-up eggs, ham, danggit/tuyo (dried fish) and a bowl of milk and cereals.  I wasn’t in a big mood to eat so I had something light –omelet and 1 slice of wheat bread.  Bubba had mango juice and hot chocolate while I had pineapple juice.  

 

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After breakfast, we went to check out the pool area and still spent some quality time lounging in our room before heading out for lunch.  Lunch was spent at the enchantingly charming Marcia Adam’s Tuscany (more on this on a separate entry).

 

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Having been to Tagaytay countless of times, I thought that I’ve already combed Tagaytay to the grits but there is still so much to discover in the city on the hills –even lofty accommodations in a hotel category such as Summit Ridge Hotel as well as fantastic restaurants around the bend.  Tagaytay still never fails to exude that harmony of natural beauty with a bit of urban style.  The Summit Ridge Hotel and Promenade is one of the best Tagaytay bets for any weekend warrior.  Room accommodation is quite sufficient. 

 

 

Summit Ridge

Km. 58, Maharlika West

Gen. Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City, Philippines

(632) 240 6888

(63) 922 852 6800

reservations@summitridgehotel.com

 

Summit Ridge Album

Marcia Adam’s Tuscany Album

 

 

How to get to Summit Ridge/Directions:

Via SLEX (South Luzon Expressway)

Take the Sta. Rosa exit and turn right after the tollgates. Keep following the path and you will see signposts along the road directing you to Summit Ridge.

 

Via Aguinaldo Highway

Go straight towards the Rotonda, then turn right towards the direction of PAGCOR Casino. The hotel is located in front of Josephine’s Restaurant beside Robinsons or Summit Ridge Promenade.

 

 

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There are days in a year that were specially made to thank fathers, mothers, and even teachers.  But we shouldn’t stop to thank them only during those specific days.  On the same breath, when was the last time you showed sweetness towards your friend who have pulled through for you through thick and thin?  If you haven’t, maybe it’s about time that you did.

 

Show how thankful you are to your blockbuster friend for being there for you, every step of the way. 

 

Our friends turn our tears into laughter, they tell us the truth even if it hurts and we know that they’d take a leave from work just to help us through tough times or go with us through life’s many adventures. They are bonded to us, not by blood or by virtue of work, but by common interests, goals, passions and simply by unconditional love. We all know that special friends like these come rarely in a lifetime, and while our best friends ask for nothing in return for everything they’ve done for us, we know that we need to let them know how much we appreciate their sacrifices, their care and their love. We know that they are there for us 24 hours a day, seven days a week—so it makes perfect sense that we also thank them for their friendship every single day.

 

 

Toblerone, the legendary triangular Swiss chocolate, urges you to say “thank you” to your very best friend everyday through simple things that show your appreciation.  You can start showing how grateful you are by telling the world about the wonderful story of your friendship.  Talk about how you met your epic friend, the adventures you’ve gone through together and especially why you are thankful for your relationship with him or her. All you have to do is to “Like” the Toblerone Fan Page on Facebook, upload a photo of you and your epic friend, tag yourselves and TobleronePilipinas and then post your answers in the Comments section of your photo. Make sure that you get your epic friend to “Like” the post as well!

 

Ten winners will be chosen based on the number of people who “Liked” your post as well as the feedback from the Toblerone team and a special panel of judges. Winners will be treated to Toblerone gift packs and a full day of fun and exciting bonding activities, featuring body care treatments at The Spa, with their epic friends. It’s a great and unique way to start saying “thank you” to your best friend! The contest will run from July 5, 2010 to August 11, 2010—so hurry and tell the world how grateful you are for your epic friend.

 

Gratitude, like friendship, shouldn’t just be a one-day deal.  Let this opportunity from Toblerone inspire you to think of many different ways to show your friend how much you appreciate all she or he has done for you. After all, each day is always a good day to say “thank you.”

 

For more information, please log on to www.toblerone.ph.

 

 

 

June 1, 2010 –Friday night, it was such a busy week as any busy bee can be.  We were off to La Union the following day but we had a great Friday night stop at Casita Xocolat.

 

 

Casita Xocolat is located near Calle Industria in Libis, Quezon City, somewhat a hideaway from the usual commercial complexes that people frequent.  If you want a good break from all the crowded places, Casita Xocolat is your breakaway from the city’s rush and people stream.  And not only is it a café for a quiet chat, it’s also a watering hole for all good things about chocolate and surprisingly, savory dishes.

 

 

I’m such a big fan of chocolate.  I used to be a bigger fan but decided to cut down a bit… check out the chocolate traces on this site:

 

Chocoholic Evidence 1

Chocoholic Evidence 2

Chocoholic Evidence 3

Chocoholic Evidence 4

Chocoholic Evidence 5

Chocoholic Evidence 6

Chocoholic Evidence 7

Chocoholic Evidence 8

 

But I think Casita Xocolat will get me started again with a happy habit of eating chocolates.  Xocolat Cacao Mixes are made only from carefully selected premium cocoa beans harvested from around the world and they have incorporated the premium chocolate taste in different variety of drinks and dishes.

 

 

On the Table

 

Taza de Xocolat PHP 115

 Rich dark chocolate

 

 

Hot Xocolat PHP

Chocolate chips in a tall glass poured with milk.  Bubba wanted a second glass immediately.

 

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Croquettas PHP 115

Potato fingers with ragu and choriqueso sauce.  Soft potato mash fried to perfection.  Combine the quezo and salsa dip together and it’s a pleasant appetizer to start with or munchies for merienda talks.

 

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Xocolat Chicken Pasta PHP 175

Xocolat reinvents chocolate through new approaches of presenting them in savory dishes like their Xocolat Chicken Pasta, which are chocolate-rubbed chicken strips tossed in a light cream sauce topped with chocolate shavings.  Bubba just had to make room for this dish. 

 

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Pork Belly with Cacao Bagoong PHP 185

Partly crispy, partly tender pork belly served with potato gratin and cacao-bagoong sauce.  This is definitely one of the must-try dishes for me.  Imagine a spoonful of your favorite pork belly with white rice and smidgen with semi-salty semi-sweet bagoong or shrimp paste with a faint trace of chocolate that takes out any fishy taste and makes the flavor to a degree –rich and with a different layer.

 

 

Spicy Tuyo PHP 165

You’d be happy to know that Xocolat also has a Breakfast Menu for you folks who start your day early or those who just want to feel the start of the day with a breakfast meal.  Spicy Tuyo in olive oil with capers and garlic rice topped with scrambled eggs is a breakfast winner –or at any time of the day for that matter (we had it for dinner).  The sun-dried fish is mildly spiced and soft.

 

 

Xocolat Sunset PHP 125

Dark chocolate and cointreau

 

 

 

Service is fast, efficient and friendly.  Prices are affordable while flavors are simple but interesting.  I’ve already scheduled a next visit to Casita Xocolat this July.  I can’t wait to try the cacao bagoong again and the spicy tuyo and I’d surely be licking my lips once more in delight!   July 15 is the date in fact to celebrate Marge’s pre-birthday dinner.  And Casita Xocolat is our destination.

 

 

Casita Xocolat

Topy’s Place, Economia corner Calle Industria

Bagumbayan, Libis, Quezon City

(632) 470 7563

 

 

Many thanks to Spanky Enriquez, Rosanna Unson and Tricia Avecilla for the invite!

 

 

Directions: Along northbound c5, turn right to calle industria (after nuvo city), then left on the first corner (before gas station), 1st big gate on the left is casita xocolat (with signange).  It’s across the karinderyas with tents on the other side of the street.

 

Other Xocolat Branches:

 

Casa Xocolat

172 B. Gonzales St. Loyola Heights

Katipunan, Quezon City

(632) 929 4186

 

Xocolat

Serendra

Fort Bonifacio, Global City

(632) 856 2146

 

Café Xocolat

Promenade Greenhills

San Juan City, Metro Manila

(632) 514 3862

 

 

Casita Xocolat Album

 

 

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