Pie At Your Hand . . .Project Pie Craze

Choose from a good range of sauces, toppings and cheeses. Wait for less than 5 minutes and your name would be called.  What you have on your hand is a dish of your creation.  A fragrant and visually stimulating food creation served hot from the oven.  You have PIZZA!

Pizza Flavor #1 and #2

Pizza Flavor #3 and #4

Last July 6, me and some friends tried out the latest pizza craze in town named:  Project Pie.  I for one has heard of it but hasn't tried their offerings.  I mean, pizza is pizza and what would be different from one to the next but its toppings right?  But lo and behold, it was pizza heaven!

Being a sister company of the oldest pizza company in the Philippines, Project Pie is simply pizza made for you.  No pasta.  No side dish. Simply pizza.  Enjoy the pizza flavor as it was meant to be.  The dough, sauce, protiens and cheese.  Nothing more, nothing less.  Enjoy their offerings in any of their present locations (SM North, Eastwood Mall, Alabang-Filinvest, Shaw, Fairview Terraces and Blue Bay Walk-Pasay)

Project Pie is the only establishment that offers a build your own pie with a fix price.  You can put what ever sauce, toppings and cheese that you want on a clear fix budget.  If you wish to overload your pie with meat offerings it is up to you.  By the end of the experience, you have a happy tummy, I guarantee it.  They have 7 fix pizza flavors that you can enjoy too.  Each pie is priced reasonably and has a specific target hungry market in mind.  My picks: 3, 4 and 5. For some they may say that it is a small pie, for it is a thin crust and 9 inches in diameter pizza creation, but is it really filling and can satisfy your cravings. 

Pizza #1 is their classic cheese.  Pizza #2 and 7 are for meat-lovers.  Pizza #6 is for the non-red meat lover for they uses chicken and a sweet barbecue dressing (yummy barbecue sauce).  Pizza # 3, 4 and 5 are for those who are either vegetarian or simply wants something different in their pizza.  For those who are more adventurous and really want something new in their pie, they can build one based on what toppings they have that day.  I am not saying that you will have limited options but like any establishment, some supplies may not be that much at that time.  Project Pie is the only place that I know of in Manila (and nearby cities) that has a dessert offering in the form of a pie!  Try the Nutella-Banana!  Best eaten while still warm.

Nutella-Banana Pie

It was fun building my own pie for I get to choose items that are not regularly placed on a pre-made pie.  I started with an oil sauce (not pesto) and my protien is in the form of anchovies only (no meat).  Topped with gorgonzola, ricotta and feta cheese, rosemary, grilled red bell peppers, artichokes, caramelized onions and jalapeno; what I got is a pizza that is aromatic and has heat.  Heat in my tummy not in my mouth.  All for the fix price of Php 285.00 only.

My pizza creation

I enjoyed my creation with their China Mist tea - Peach flavor.  They also have the traditional sweet and black tea version of the China Mist.

Pizza Flavor #7

Pizza Flavor #5 and #6

Who needs stuffings and side-dishes to enjoy pizza when presented with Project Pie's offerings.  I was one hungry camper that day but was trully satisfied with what was offered.  

SM North Location

Pizza Options

A Historic Event for Mindanao, The 1st International Business Summit

Last June 28, 2014 marks an important day for the people of Mindanao.  It was the day that makes the people of Mindanao stand proud as a community bonded by faith and beauty of their place.  June 28, 2014 was the 1^st International Business Summit on Mindanao held at the Tent City Ballroom of the Manila Hotel.

Attended by, first and foremost, the Muslim community, business entrepreneurs and media/social-media people; the event was a success (to a point).  The whole business summit started with a prayer that showed respect to all beliefs regardless of the religion that one has in his life.  Something that shows the high respect of the Muslim community to other people and what they ask of others also.  The prayer was followed thru with the National anthem and a demonstration of unity by the invited panel of speakers from various fields and race in the form of an arm-lock symbolism.  Next is the opening remarks given by Sultan Shariff Ibrahim Albani, chairman of the Unity for Revival Foundation.

Sultan Shariff Ibrahim Albani and Princess Isabelle

Part of the summit is the introduction of Princess Isabelle of France, as the International Ambassador of the Tribal People of Mindanao.  I am a Catholic, but I am proud and at the same time humbled that it took another person from another country to represent my country men in the international scene.  That may be the case, I am happy that my countrymen is now finding voice in the international business scene.

Those who have organized the event tagged it as “Restoring the Lost Glory”, for me it should be “Bringing New Glory”.  Why do I say so?  Mindanao is a place worthy to be visited and developed.  It is still beautiful and rich in culture and natural resources.  It is a shame that it is divided in strife but as what Sultan Shariff Ibrahim Albani has said: “Now is the time for us to be unified.  Only in unity can we make all these plans possible.”

Resource people from various parts of the globe such as Japan, China and even Hawaii came to the said summit to give support and share what they can offer to the development of Mindanao; as an island of the Philippine archipelago and its people.  I was surprised to hear the various technologies and programs that these people has to offer and even get to visualize the benefits that the island and the Mindanao people will get out of this.  We are looking at a boom in economics and pride if all these takes root and bloom.

Two aspects raised were the development and the educational program of the island.  Two aspects that affects not only Mindanao but also the whole country!  Regarding the development of the island, I will leave that to the business people.  Regarding the educational program, here are my 2-cents about it.  Right now the country’s educational program is gearing in making a highly skilled and competitive workforce.  That is good to a point but we are missing something here.  We are slowly forgetting that we are human beings that need to be reminded of that.  We are not machines that are to be programmed to simply do our task right the first time.  We need to sustain and encourage free and developmental thinking and this is where the Humanities subject steps in. Hope this can be addressed too.

  

One of the main points raised by the business community is the issue of security for all investors, local and foreign alike.  The answer, UNITY!  Being unified will indeed assure everybody in all aspects; security, development and sustainability.  Something that Sultan Shariff Ibrahim Albani and Princess Isabelle is working on, not only internally but also externally.  Working with people having strong personalities and points of view, in both political and personal level, is one challenging aspect;   something that showed during the open forum/question-and-answer portion of the summit.  To quote a guest speaker who is also a journalist: "We now have a weapon! A weapon not to destroy but to help build and end poverty and strife."

One of the important things that needs to be pointed out, in connection with this summit, is the showcasing of the Mindanao culture in form of dance, painting and sites.  The whole summit even has a theme song titled "We Are One", a call for unity.

CYO Chorale singing "We Are One"

The whole event could have been better if those invited, people with political responsibilities, were present.  In my opinion, it would have showed support and concern to the people.  I may not know their exact reason as to why they were not present but one thing is for sure in my mind, things could have been different.  Despite the absence of some invited political personas, the whole event was the start of something new for the whole of Mindanao, its people and the land itself. 

Photos of the Event:

(All photos used are personally taken by me during the event)

The Delegates

 

The Symbolic Arm Linking of All Panelist

 The Panel of Guest Speakers

                                

The Featured Beauty of Mindanao

The Princess Isabelle Greeting Delegates/Guests 

With delegates from China & Japan

Princess Isabelle with Dr. Igor Kondrasin (right)
and a delegate from Japan

Princess Isabelle and I

Atty. Sixto Brilliantes Jr and Princess Isabelle

The Cultural Presentation

Zalora Marketplace . . . The Place to Shop Going Forward

Who hasn’t heard of Zalora or Zalora Marketplace?

  

To simply inform those who are not familiar with Zalora Marketplace, it is an online shopping fashion store.  It is a site for people to brows and shop fashion items in the comfort of their home or while they are at break during work. Click on www.marketplace.zalora.ph and shop in the 52 stores tied-up with them.

Zalora Marketplace offers a wide range of fashion items that may help define your personality.  How is it different from the stores in the mall?  Here you get to do your shopping in comfort.  No crowd.  No long lines in the cashier or fitting room.  You simply purchase your item and it is delivered to your place free of charge!  No more scenes of you carrying a big number of bags and bumping someone as you shop.  All at the click of your hands!

Not to worry about wrong size or any items that you want returned due to some defects because all customers are protected with a 30-days return item guarantee and an always available customer line to answer your concerns.

From clothes to accessories to shoes and bags, Zalora Marketplace has it.  It is not just a fashion line for the female market but also for the males as well.  With various small unique fashion store connected with them, you have a chance to get items are unique and will clearly define your personality.

As of June 30, 2014, Zalora Marketplace was officially launched to the public and this is their new platform of bringing fashion retailing to new levels.  This would serve as a new venue for them to introduce Philippine items to other Southeast countries such as Singapore, Thailand and Hongkong and vice-versa; an action they plan to make into a reality in 3-years time making Zalora Marketplace a center of online fashion in the SE region.  For businesses connected with Zalora Marketplace, it allows them to shine and show their identity making them empowered; creating also a strong and unique partnership between Zalora.

Paolo Campos, CEO of Zalora

Ari Kader (Middle) w/
Jesse de Mesa (left),
talking about Zalora

The event was well attended by people from the media and social-media users, business partners and Zalora consumers.  The CEO of Zalora, Paulo Campos along with his team, was there to show that Zalora Marketplace is not just an online shop but a group of people really sharing one vision and goal and that is making fashion retailing a means of making an interactive community of people doing and maintaining business.  Business partners even took the time to showcase their items for attendees.  Bags, shoes, belts and clothes were on display for all to see and appreciate.  Being a bag and accessories lover, I enjoyed the display shown by Anna, Gouache, Estela and Twinkle Ferraren.

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Bags by ANNA

The bags line of Anna shows energy and playfulness in terms of cloth design and materials used.  Their bag ranges from hand bags to backpacks that will reflect your personality.  From simple checkered prints to colorful ethnic designs, from leather to denim, from ladies item to male bags, they have a bag that would answer your need.   

Gouache

Another bag line, they are more for the dynamic but stylish male consumer.  I love the simple leather creations and also enjoyed looking at their colorful leather bags.

Twinkle Ferraren

Is actually a swim wear line but they do have a good and unique belt collection to offer.  Their belt selections are unique and stylish that any fashionista must have!  Match it with your beach ensemble or a dress; trust me when I say you will be a hit!  Cloth or leather it may be, any belt you get to pick to match your dress would surely be a winner in any scene.

Estela

Meaning star, according to its owners.  The accessories are worth getting.  Estella is actually a female clothing line and being true to their calling, an accessory can make or break an outfit.  Don’t think that you need an accessory for every outfit, for Estela do have clothing pieces that can stand on its own and will definitely show that other woman beauty in you.

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With 52 small unique fashion stores connected with them, you will definitely have a blast shopping in the comfort of your seats. Click on www.marketplace.zalora.ph and enjoy the joy of shopping at the click of your fingers or this case your mouse.

As a whole, the event was a success.  People enjoyed the program presentation, the food offered by 12 Monkeys and the some get to be winners of Zalora gift bags.  Zalora Marketplace is indeed going forward in terms of business movement.  They are a sure venue for small unique fashion themed businesses to be in business and stay in business.  Something that is indeed above, under and beyond the rainbow now and in the years to come!

Photos:

(All pictures used was taken by me personally during the event in 12 Monkeys)

(Thank you Mrs Cristine Babao
 for liking this image)

Estela

Twinkle Ferraren

Gouache

Chloe bag in tan by ANNA

Manila Sole

Wip Caps

Ari Kader talking about Zalora Marketplace

The crowd