Slice High Street at BGC

Back when High Street Central was still taking on its shape, landscaping-wise, Slice High Street was already giving those with sweet tooth a run for their money along with fellow new comer Jamba Juice. 

I remember the cart that sold yummy cupcakes. We kept on bugging the crew when the resto would finally open. A few months later, it opened to the delight of many. It offers not just desserts but healthy menu, as well. 

Mongo with tofu and highland Red Rice. My all-time fave!

Quickly, the cafe became our favorite hangout place. It's here where I met up some of my wedding suppliers. TweetUps, too with social media friends. I've written a few blogs here while munching on my dessert. 

Yema Caramel and Banana Carrot cupcakes. (P65 each)

On rainy nights when you want to wax nostalgia even when you're not home, you can sip the time away with a really good hot chocolate. 

Belgian Hot Chocolate.

Here we are in February 2012.

And this is how a night cap, al fresco in Slice does it. 

You may try the all-day breakfast menu and the salad bar. You can also bring home with you packed trail mix. 

This is a place that you also want to hangout with friends to catch up and truly enjoy al fresco casual dining. The great news here: it's NO SMOKING! Kudos to Sen Pia for sticking it out.

If you want comfort food, Slice is the best place to be. You may even be rubbing elbows with local artistas (celebrities) who dine here on any non-event night.

Slice High Street
G/F High Street Central
Bonifacio Global City
(02) 5537783

XX

Sheng

Holy Week Reflections: The Cross

Why do we celebrate the passover? The lent? The cross? 

I am not very good at theology. But one thing I know with certainty: Christ paid the ultimate price for our sins by dying on the cross. Thus, declaring us not guilty.

The cross is a symbol of God's unfathomable love for mankind that He sacrificed His son. That Jesus chose to be human to feel our suffering, our pain and carry the weight of our sins. And yet by that cross, with the blood and body of Jesus Christ, our sins were paid for by God Himself. When the ultimate penalty of sin is death, Christ chose to die for us so that we live an eternal life with Him when judgment comes. 

You can say that our sin is genetic. Even before we were born, we already have sinned. So, I think it's a misnomer to call someone innocent. Technically, nobody is. Adam and Eve had made it happen. 

Year after year we celebrate the fact that we are forgiven. That's one glorious acknowledgment. For over 2000 years we've done the ritual -- the reenactment, the remembrance, the message. In recent years it has taken several forms. 

There were those fanatics who volunteer to be nailed on the cross. I don't know what's inside their heart. I just hope that it's not to show the world that they can play Jesus and be a redeemer. 

There also are the devotees who observe the holy week with solemnity, sacrifice (usually of abstaining meat), visiting churches and participating in the station of the cross. Those 14 fateful steps that led to Jesus' death. 

But what is so amazing about God's love is the fact that He died for us even in the face of betrayal by one of His friends and our total unworthiness. Yet by His grace and love, He suffered and died to erase the sins of the world -- past, present and future. 

And the most amazing thing is He rose from the dead on the third day to fulfill His promise. God does not break His promises. 

Over time however the message got lost, jumbled and complicated. The simplicity and depth of this one saving act got lost in the drama, religious or otherwise. 

In this fast food generation, a movement has been created -- the one simple church. I don't know much about it but it's been three years now that I've actively seen them around this time. They've pioneered The Walkway. It's a modern station of the cross sort of thing that aims to simplify the message of the celebration and help anyone in meditating and reflecting of its meaning. 

It assists people in walking back to those final 14 stations of Jesus' walk to Calvary. There are tarps with messages that help crystallize the messages. And an invitation.

 

"For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and not by yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV). 

The greatest gift God wants us to receive is the gift of eternal life. And that is His invitation. Right at this very moment, we can all pray to receive Jesus Christ, as our Lord and savior. And His death by the cross will never be in vain. For His love endures forever.

Have you received Him yet? Rejoice! God has risen!

XX

Sheng 

Stella

Early this year, the High Street Central in Bonifacio Global City opened. It's an open-planned development with a mix of restaurants and shops around it. In the middle of the development is an atrium with lots of greens -- trees, topiaries and shrubs and bleachers. It's a great hang out place for people who want to enjoy a breezy night. 

One of the restaurants here is Stella. It's an American franchise that offers wood-fired pizza, pasta and the most succulent ribs in town.

We've been here a few times. And I say that each time, the food is just great. You get value for your money. And the ambiance is cozier than the usual. Wood panels, small booths, muted chandeliers and fancy touches of glam decor.

California Style Baby Back Ribs (P395)

Roasted Firecracker Fusilli (P390)

Anchovies & Olives Pizza (P350)

A bottle of Red Wine (P790)

A glass of Merlot Rose (P195)

Sweet Dough (P195)

I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a bit of fancy dining without necessarily burning a hole in one's pocket.

Address:

G/F Bonifacio High Street Central, East Superblock, 7th Ave cor 29th St Fort Bonifacio, Taguig (02) 621-3222

 

Bon appetit! 

Thirty-four Summers

I'd like to believe that summer is my season. Although, in the Philippines, June is already the start of the rainy days. In fact, I spent my birthday in a heavy drizzle. 

Summer is all about being care-free, enjoying the sun, chilling at the beach and taking a vacation from everyday life. And that's how I treat my life. 

It also symbolizes hope for the future. For as long as the sun continues to rise, one has hope for a better life. Or live the life of her dreams. Or start all over again.

When friends are prompted to describe me they'd say that I am light and bubbly. I take it as a compliment. I take it to mean as being able to laugh at whatever life throws my way. Inasmuch as I have the immense capacity for laughing at the silliest of things, I have my low moments, too. But I strive to find a silver lining in the grey skies. 

On the 28th of June, I realized that it was to be my last birthday celebrated as singleton. Ah, the revelation. I realized that it was just but fitting that I made it a me-date day. I had a great time. I enjoyed my trip to the salon. I died in spa heaven at The Spa. And got resurrected but only to die again with the big breakfast I ate, for dinner.When I woke up the next day, I went to the nail spa to have a relaxing foot spa courtesy of the salon. Loyalty, pays. Lol.

The Spa & Wellness at the Bonifacio Global City. Absolutely, divine!

Met up two of my friends for a short run, Me-an and Mara. Yes, we were ready to run but it rained. So, we spent the remaining hours hanging out at Jamba Juice. 

I missed their calls because I dozed off and snored at the spa.Lol.

My friends took the time to greet me. Thank you, Facebook all of them were reminded of my day. Of my 800++ friends on Facebook, about 200 sent me personal greetings. Others wished me well on Twitter. And then, a very few, gave me a shoutout through text messages. Ah, the wonders of technology. 

Here are some gifts I received. 

Birthday card from our GM Kanwar Bhutani. Everyone in Avon receives one like this.

In keeping with my spa-themed solo celebration. Thanks, Erika! You're super.

When the day was over, I felt rejuvenated and bursting with happiness. God is good all the time. And He just added another year to my life. It is my prayer that He'd bestow upon me the grace to live a purpose-driven life. Am given another year to start afresh; turn a new leaf. 


A life that seeks to glorify Him in all of my ways and speech. Thank you, God for an awesome adventure all through the 34 years on this earth. 


To you who may be reading this, I wish you an awesome birthday. 

XX