The 2013 Giving Journal by Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf is Here!

CBTL's 2013 Giving Journal comes in 2 colors this year!
Dark and Light Brown. I like the darker one. What's your pick?

HEY COFFEEHOLICS! Guess what? Giving Back is Easy with The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's 2013 Giving Journal.  Now that CBTL is having its 10th year anniversary here in the Philippines (its 50th abroad!), CBTL will be spreading the cheer early by handing out the stamp cards as early as this October 31, 2012! Yay for us coffeeholic addicts and collectors! 

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf celebrates its 50th Year
and its 10th year here in the Philippines!

A brand built on compassion, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf has long supported charities, foundations, schools, and other organizations in need. The CBTL continues its support for the Real LIFE Foundation by dedicating proceeds from the Giving Journal to the organization. 

AND get this, CBTL's President, Walden Chu, shares to us that this year, they've decided to make it easier for people to share the gift of giving by lowering the number of stamps to just TWELVE (12)!!!! CBTL wants us all to be inspired to share in our passion for genuine kindness all throughout the year. 

ONLY 12 STAMPS NEEDED
to get your CBTL Giving Journal!
How's that for a Christmas treat? :) Yay

To get that stamp, you just need a minimum single-receipt purchase of any Original Ice Blended, Coffee-based, or Tea-based Beverage, or Frozen Swirl and it qualifies you to get a stamp card and a stamp on a corresponding box or circle rather on that card. The drink assignments per "circle" is simple! All you need to do is get 1 Original Ice Blended, 1 Espresso Drink, 1 Tea Latte, 1 Red Velvet Hot Cocoa or Red Velvet Ice Blended, and 8 of any of the aforementioned drinks. Fill up all 12 and submit the card to the nearest CBTL store and you get the journal. Easy Breezy right? 

The CBTL journal comes with a "gift tag" with a TO and FROM label.
So you can actually give this as a gift this Christmas! Isn't it neat? :) Love it!

The CBTL Journal has become more than just something to write our thoughts on. The Giving Journal has pages upon pages of great features centered on giving back. The 2013 Giving Journal has sheets that show moments where the brand has helped many of its loyal customers carve out their own way of kindness in the hearts of many, making it the perfect avenue for people to embark on a journey of giving. 

CBTL 2013 Giving Journal Coupons

Oh and another notable feature for CBTL's Giving Journal is the monthly coupons which I find one of the awesome things that makes us keep coming back for more of CBTL. They not only inspire generosity but also give generously even to us their customers! Love it!

Thank you CBTL! I'm one HAPPY COFFEEHOLIC!

Oh and yes my dear coffeeholics, I am absolutely thrilled to be part of the first group of people to get their hands on the journal! Teeeheee.. kinilig ako! haha. I've been an avid fan of CBTL for AGES! Ever since they first started to give out notebooks years ago (anyone who has that give me a holler! :P), I've been collecting their stuff ever since. I've got the red notebook.. and the black and white one! And yeah I definitely got my hands on the very first giving journal by CBTL. I really love their concept and how they really focused on the giving part and even encouraged their loyal customers to be givers as well. That's why I didn't mind spending lots (ahaha.. oy totoo diba.. pinagiipunan pa yung pang gastos nyan!) to get me some stamps to be able to claim my journal. Coz I know the money I spend means also money to be given to others! Scholars pa at that. 

  

The wonderful team who were with us at the CBTL branch of Robinson's Magnolia were kind enough to explain that at each stamp card was a thank you letter from some of the scholars who were a recipient of the Giving Journal proceeds last year. It definitely stirs up one's heart to know that even through this we can help. 

CBTL's RED VELVET Hot Cocoa is back! 

While there, we were also treated with Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf's the Holiday drinks and sweets for this Christmas! So those RED VELVET fans of last year, well don't fret coz its back again for this Holidays! Red Velvet Hot Cocoa and Red Velvet Ice Blended is back for all of us to enjoy this Christmas season.

Yummy Holiday Treats from CBTL!

All of you sweet tooths out there, its time to also have a taste of CBTL's divine sweet treats! This Christmas CBTL will be having three new desserts to tantalize us -- Chocolate Caramel Fudge, Raspberry Chocolate Cake, and Rum Cake. YUM YUM YUM! 

CBTL Rum Cake @ Php115
Promise.. it smells like rum! Plus it has some walnuts underneath that icing making it super yum!

My personal favorite is the RUM Cake! I absolutely love it. Its not that sweet and it definitely makes you want some more. The first two cakes only cost P135 while the Rum Cake is P115. Well, if I gain weight this Christmas now you know the culprits! LOL!

Give In To Giving!
2013 Giving Journal by Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf

So what are you waiting for Coffeeholics? Seriously, head to the nearest Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf shop NOW and spread the gift of giving! Happy Holidays coffeeholics!

Don't forget to check out Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Philippines Facebook and Twitter!

Coffee Break - Kopiccino by Kopiko

 

The rainy season is definitely at full blast now. Especially last weekend, it has also been much much cooler. Which is why recently my coffee intake has slightly increased. Even though I do love coffee, I still control myself and limit myself to 2-3 cups a day. Anyway, I was at a "sari-sari" store near school when I saw this Kopiccino by Kopiko 3-in-1 coffee mix. I immediately perked up. They had this wonderful idea of finding a way in making instant "cappuccino." Admittedly it isn't as wonderful as the real thing but its a fine substitute that I'm willing to get my taste buds on especially at the very affordable price of Php 8. (It says 8 pesos at the package but the sari-sari store sold it for Php 9). 

For a more authentic "Kopiccino" feel, Kopiko included choco granules which you can sprinkle on the foam of your drink! Yes it is FROTHY and FOAMY! :) Hehehe. Its not too sweet. And di rin masyadong matapang. Its more like, if have the urge to try something different, Kopiko's Kopiccino is a must coz it lets you have a cappuccino experience. :)

Sorry it doesn't look enticing. But try it.. matutuwa ka! promise! hehe!

So yeah, I really wanna feature coffee related stuff din here on my blog. So if you have any suggestions on what kind of coffee I try next. I will be trying out Herbal Coffees and Teas as well so look forward to that. Hope you all have an awesome week! Mwah Mwah!

Coffee Break - Iced Barako Coffee at BibingKinitan!

Check out this drink from BIBINGKINITAN!
Where you can get FRESHLY BAKED MINI BIBINGKA.
Also known as THE BIBINGKA & COFFEE PLACE.

Hey Coffeeholics! Yes I know, Summer is officially over. What with all the rains, thunder storms, and sticky humid air surrounding us. It kinda makes me wish now that it was still summer so that no more asthma and YES to yummy refreshing iced coffee like the BIBINGKINITAN! ICED BARAKO.

The cold "sweat" on the ICED BARAKO drink is so believable...
that its making me thirsty and crave for ICED COFFEE!

Now I don't know about you but as for me I LOVE KAPE BARAKO or "Barako" Coffee. Barako Coffee is a coffee varietal grown in the Philippines, most famously known to grow particularly in the provinces of Batangas and Cavite. It belongs to the species Coffee liberica. But generally here in the Philippines, when you say Kapeng Barako it usually means Philippine home grown coffee. I've tasted Kapeng Barako from Batangs which I really like a lot. It usually has a strong taste and has quite a distinct flavor. It definitely keeps one awake! I already had the privilege of drinking Kapeng Barako - Hot version at Bibingkinitan before. It was during the time that I was sooo sleepy but I had to stay awake. So I searched for strong brewed coffee that was affordable and was very happy when I found out Bibingkinitan was selling Kapeng Barako. I bought the coffee and bibingka order which only cost around 50 pesos. So last summer when I found out that they were offering ICED BARAKO, I was very very pleased. Affordable, strong, and ICED coffee - PERFECT COMBO for summer coffeeholics!

The personalized message was a nice touch. I don't know if they did that for everybody though.

The Bibingkinitan! ICED BARAKO certainly lived up to its reputation. At the price of 45 Pesos, you definitely get your money's worth of one huge gulp-ful of ICY COOL STRONG BARAKO COFFEE. I really enjoyed my drink and finished it all off.

Perfect combination - ICED BARAKO and Mini Bibingka from BIBINGKINITAN!

DEFINITE MUST - Partner your Bibingkinitan! Iced Barako with a mini-Bibingkinitan! SUPER YUMMY YUM YUM! I love the melted butter and cheese on the mini bibingka. Its one of my favorite snacks. :)

Perfect Pasalubong - 6 Pieces of Mini-Bibingkas from Bibingkinitan! only at Php 120!

Then lug home an extra ICED BARAKO and boy are you so ever ready to do some night blogging with me as well. Hehe. Darn, now that last photo is making me HUNGRY! :P

Sooo my dear coffeeholics, especially those on a budget - get your ICED COFFEE fix and have some ICED BARAKO at BIBINGKINITAN! I already asked and I think some stalls or outlets still have it in their menu even though summer is over. I got this drink at the SM MEGAMALL branch. So maybe you can check it out there. Hope you all enjoy your coffee break! Now back to school. :P ehehehe..

Facebook: Bibingkinitan Mini-Bibingka

Twitter: @Bibingkinitanph

Coffee Break - A Dose of Bo's Coffee and More!

I love drinking coffee. I love coffee A LOT. But my love for drinking this heavenly brew did not make me into a coffee expert. I am just satisfied by just sitting on a comfy chair and sipping and savoring this nectar that tingles my senses and makes me feel alive and recharged! Which is why I'm grateful for people like Steve Benitez who took their love for coffee to a whole different level and envisioned coffee drinking to become part of the Filipino Lifestyle as he had encountered during his trips to Europe. Thus the coffee franchise Bo's Coffee was born 16 years ago at Cebu City - a time where coffee shops in malls weren't that popular yet.

Me at  BO's COFFEE SM North Edsa Annex branch

I was just recently invited to a blogger's event that was hosted by Bo's Coffee. I immediately jumped at the chance of attending this coz well, I've decided that my love for coffee should also help educate me as well. And I'm really glad that I came coz I learned a lot! Not only about coffee in general but about Bo's Coffee as well.

1. FILIPINO MADE. Believe me, I've been to several well-known coffee shops out there but I'm very much happy to hear that Bo's Coffee is all FILIPINO. The coffee beans they use are all home grown from the Batangas, Cavite, and Cordilleras. Its awesome to hear that coz that means more jobs for us Filipinos and more opportunities for us to introduce the Filipino Coffee Blend to others thanks to Bo's Coffee.

Besides the beans, the ambiance of  Bo's does give a comfy but classy feel to it with a touch of Pinoy. Yes, what makes it unique is the unusual furniture and fixtures used in Bo's Coffee shops. The lamp shade above was specifically designed for Bo's Coffee by the internationally-acclaimed Filipino designer, Kenneth Cobonpue.

2. WORLD CLASS. Filipino made but WORLD CLASS. That is the aim of Mr. Steve Benitez, founder and CEO of Bo's Coffee. This can definitely be seen by the homey interiors of Bo's Coffee stores that combine homegrown and world-class in Western influences mingled with Filipino art which results in a great coffee shop experience. The atmosphere in Bo's Coffee shops induces customers to hang out and relax with their friends while sipping coffee!

But I guess what really makes Bo's Coffee "world-class" is the quality of the COFFEE itself! JUST ROASTED is Bo's Coffee's tagline. With this tag, it just means that Bo's Coffee stores makes sure we get best quality coffee due to the freshness of the beans. Bo's Coffee assures us that we definitely get served the just roasted coffee beans which is usually within a month after roasting date.

Bo's Coffee offers hot and iced coffee, ice blended coffee, and even non-coffee drinks to their menu.

According to them, when coffee is served as soon as it was roasted, the flavor and the benefits of the coffee is more prominent especially the part wherein it is less acidic. Of course this also means that the training that Bo's Coffee is giving to their baristas is also world-class to achieve this kind of quality service.

The same goes with the food served at Bo's. They have their own commissary for their food line which gives them greater control over quality and product innovation. Its definitely one of the things that I look into in coffee shops. The quality and affordability of their pastries is definitely something I'm quite pleased about. It is indeed something you can look forward to whenever you drop by at Bo's Coffee.

When I saw this, I thought it was imported! When I saw the logo, then it hit me that it was a  Pinoy product that looked definitely world-class--good enough for export. It tasted really good as well. Yay for a more healthy lifestyle option!

3. SUMMER DRINK. Well with all that coffee talk, its now time to taste the goods! Introducing the BISCOTTI AMARETTO from Bo's Coffee. 

Biscotti Amaretto

Coffee+biscotti is a match that sends you to heaven. For this summer, we decided to highlight that fusion with the Biscotti Amaretto. It's blended coffee with biscotti and Amaretto syrup topped with whipped cream, dark chocolate drizzle and crushed biscotti sprinkles. The Biscotti Amaretto is a great companion as you relax this summer :)


What I love about this drink is the crushed biscotti sprinkles which adds a bit of a crunch to my drink. I like those little tidbits when I drink my coffee. It makes it more interesting! Its definitely a drink that I would love to delve in during this summer. 

Partnered with my drink was this delicious luscious looking chocolate cake. Yes I know it looks very sweet but surprisingly, it wasn't! It had just the right amount of sweetness that would be great for brewed coffee. AND you won't get tired of eating it! This moist chocolate cake truly haunts me and begs me for seconds! LOL. I definitely will be having more of that the next time I drop by at Bo's Coffee! Thank you Bo's Coffee for inviting me and BREW OF THE DAY over. I'm so happy that I now have a new hangout place at SM North Annex.

So my dear coffeeholics, if you plan to drop by Bo's Coffee -- don't forget to tryout their bestseller which is the white choco chip or espresso crumble. Also PLUS FACTOR - they have a lot of electric plug outlets and free WIFI! Check out their website at www.boscoffee.com for more information, updates, and promos.

Soooo, do you agree with me that drinking coffee is definitely part of Filipino Lifestyle? Which do you prefer - drinking home-made coffee at home or at the stores? Please do share share share!

COFFEE - Great Taste Trio 3-in-1 White Coffee

Hey Coffeeholics! I know its been a while. I've mentioned before that I'd be pretty busy this March and it has been quite busy! But thank goodness I'm not that busy to share to you guys what keeps me goin' in the morning, which is of course -- COFFEE! Haha I know I'm stating the obvious here but I just thought I'd mention it just in case I've neglected to do so. 

As a true blue coffeeholic, I'd like to make a disclaimer first. I'm not an endorser of any particular coffee brand. If I rant or rave about anything that has to do with coffee -- than that's just my personal preference at that particular moment. Honestly, I've graduated from being a fan of 3-in-1 type of coffees. It doesn't affect me or "energizes" me as much as brewed coffee does. (Is it possible to develop immunity from instant coffee???) But I can't be choosy. I don't always have access to brewed coffee (sighs!). Desperate times calls for desperate measure. So YES.. I've tried and tasted all those 3-in-1 coffee mix which you can buy at your next door neighbor's sari-sari store! You betcha I did. And as for my quest for an instant 3-in-1 coffee that will make my taste buds happy and my mind awake.. well, I FOUND THE ONE!

Morning Brew - GREAT TASTE White Coffee!

Have you tasted GREAT TASTE White Coffee? If you haven't -- YOU MUST TRY IT!!! Its one of the best tasting instant 3-in-1 coffee out there! Especially if you like your coffee as sweet and creamy as I do. When poured, it froths. Once mixed, you can immediately smell its amazing aroma that really tingles the senses awake. This instant 3-in-1 coffee from Great Taste really makes my day whenever I don't have access to brewed coffee. Best of all, its sooooo affordable! I'm so glad that they make instant coffee taste better now. If only they could make the caffeinne effect as impressive as brewed.. then it would be perfect. Hehe.

So coffeeholics, what's your poison favorite instant 3-in-1 coffee mix? Do you have the same taste as mine? Let's compare notes shall we? Share share share!

Fashion and Coffee with CBTL

TRENDS Spring/Summer 2012 by Eunice Lucero

Fashion and Coffee - my kind of brew! And I'm happy to end my eventful year with this as the last event that I attended as a blogger. So glad that I was able to go to the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf event. Many thanks to JEN who invited me to join her at The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf's latest brunch series - Small Talks for Big Changes which featured Preview Magazine's Associate Editor, Eunice Lucero for its last leg and brought everyone up-to-speed with the latest from the Philippine fashion scene.

"It's great that the Philippines is now being seen as a viable fashion capital,"shares Lucero. "The local fashion scene is growing, blooming - it's going global and trends are now becoming more concrete. Filipinos are now looking for comfortable clothes, more streamlined and very much stylish. In addition to this, many local designers are also making their mark in the international fashion scene like Michael Cinco and Kermit Tesoro."

Then she went on to share the possible trends this Spring/Summer 2012.  

Two-Toned Hair

I know some people (especially bloggers!) have already started doing this trend and according to predictions, we will see more of that next year. As much as I would love to try out this trend, I can't coz of my day job. Hehe. So if you can sport this, kudos to you! As for hairstyles, how you part your hair matters! So its also predicted that parting your hair in the center and slicked-back hair will be in next season.

Stained cheeks will be in!

As for makeup, stained cheeks for spring and summer will be in! No more bronzers then huh? 

Flat Bright Lips anyone?

Flat bright lips will be in next summer! Don't forget to check out your favorite makeup brands to get your hands on one. And while you're at it, grab some white eye shadow as well just in case if you don't have one. I already just bought mine from NYX at Greenhills last week. Also mentioned in the talk, one of the trends that will definitely be in next year is the emphasis on clear beautiful skin -- especially the pores. So expect people to be more conscious to have pore-less skin. 

Laduree pastels

As for fashion trends, expect Laduree Pastels to be in. Hmmmm what do you think about color blocking in pastel? I became so engrossed in the talk that I forgot to take photos. LOL. Sorry. But the other fashion trends mentioned was sporty everyday wear, retro, and floral printed fabrics. After all, it is summer! After the talk, we were all given a chance to to ask for personal tips or ask about personal fashion dilemmas with Miss Eunice. I remember asking what will be the shoe trend next year and she mentioned BOOTS. Haha. That definitely curled my toes in glee! 

Of course throughout the course of the talk, we also enjoyed a cup of tea or coffee and some dainty treats and snacks courtesy of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. 

Check out The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf's new single-serve system, the CBTL!

We all got to try out a drink from CBTL. The series is a part of the brand's Great Exchange program, an on-going trade-in event that highlights The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's new single-serve system, CBTL. 

CBTL's Viennese Brew

Dubbed as the future for coffee and tea aficionados to enjoy more than 70 varieties of their favorite The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf drink at the comfort of their own home, and with just a touch of a button. To have my very own CBTL without leaving home sounds pretty amazing! I tried out the Viennese Brew (mild) and it was lovely. And the fun part of the whole thing is that its so easy to use. *sigh* Can't afford to take one home but I wouldn't mind if Santa would drop me one on his way back to the North Pole! hehe!

Brew of The Day with CBTL! Me likey please! hehe

Also it was so nice to see and talk with other bloggers there! 

with Krissy

with Mommy Larissa

And of course with Miss Eunice and Jen

And that's a wrap with the last event I attended for 2011. I'm definitely looking forward to what's in store for us this 2012. I already have ideas on which trends I might be following next year. What about you dear coffeeholics? Think you'll be going for the two-toned hair next year? Let me know your picks!

Hope you all having a wonderful holiday! 

MWAH MWAH!