Beer from around the world … at Red Box

Filipinos undoubtedly like their beer. San Miguel, the most popular brand, is to beer what Jollibee is to burgers and jeepneys are to the ordinary Pinoys’ means of transport. According to stats, “Filipinos consume 1.25 billion liters or 3.9 billion bottles of beer per year,” most of which I believe are shared over good company and sizzling plates of sisig or some other pulutan.

I honestly haven’t tasted as many varieties of beer in my lifetime as when I attended the Beer Appreciation Night at Red Box, the “uber-ly wholesome” karaoke bar in Greenbelt 3 (with another branch in Trinoma). Apparently, Red Box is where you can find one of the most extensive beer selections in the metro.

Why beer? Because it seems Pinoys believe there is a correlation between singing and alcohol content - the more you drink, the more you’ll likely to have the guts to belt out those tunes in front of other people, as opposed to just singing in the shower. And beer is just out there as one of the most accessible, convenient drinks around.

Chef Philip Golding on beer

Pinoys drink their beer according to their own style (with ice, straight from the bottle, and such..) , but according to Chef Philip Golding of the Yats Wine Club, there is a proper way to drink beer. Says he: do serve your beer ice-cold at a temperature of 3 to 6 degrees Celcius, but don’t put ice on the beer itself; don’t drink it straight from the bottle; and do pay attention to the foam, color and aroma of the beer, among other things.

Certain kinds of beer pair well with specific types of food, and here is what we tasted:

Germany’s Heineken, my personal favorite - a light pilsner with full flavor and soft, pleasant aftertaste. Goes well with smoked sausage.

Germany’s Beck’s - golden pale in color with smoky, wheaty flavor and a touch of bitterness that finishes cleanly. Pairs well with crispy pata, believe it or not.

Stella Artois - a bottom-fermented pilsner lager that is considered “table beer” in Belgium. Yes, you can drink this with Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato (BLT) sandwich!

Japan’s Kirin - made of the finest barley malt, this is distinctive for its smooth finish and no bitter aftertaste. Goes well with fish and chips made from Japanese breadcrumbs (and some tartar sauce to go with that).

Belgium’s Hoegaarden - a unique coriander-flavored beer. I must say this is an acquired taste, but you won’t mind it if you much cheese-topped baked mussels on the side.

America’s Budweiser Beer is “brewed with a combination of barley malt to achieve a very specific flavor balance.” And this should go well with baked buffalo chicken wings.

Other beer choices in the house: Ireland’s Leffe Blonde, Guinness Stout, Netherland’s Grolsch Pilsner, the Philippines’ Cerveza Negra and rare bottles of triple-fermented La Fin Du Monde which costs from P700 to P1200 each.

My verdict after taking sips of six different kinds of beer: nahilo ako! (I got dizzy!)

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Red Box was gracious enough to give more beer schwag afterwards. My friends are having this, if only they care to come to the house D

Byahilo in Manila Bulletin Special Travel Issue


I was featured yesterday in the special travel section of the Manila Bulletin, one of the largest broadsheets in the Philippines in terms of circulation. What they did was ask four travel bloggers (that includes me!) for our most favorite beach hangout. Also featured along with me were Anton Diaz, Ivan Henares, and Ferdz Decena.

Manila Bulletin

I had the chance to be with the three of them last January during our Boracay escapade. Ferdz and I also had the chance to travel the breathtaking islands of Batanes.

Check the photos below:

Manila Bulletin

Manila Bulletin

Manila Bulletin

Manila Bulletin

Manila Bulletin

Manila Bulletin

Text above reads: “Unknown to many, Guimaras holds another gem. So precious that only a few actually is aware that it exists and only few has dared to see it. This mango-producing island is actually surrounded with white sandy beaches all over its coastlines.

And that is the main reason why I love Guimaras so much. White sandy beaches all over, aquamarine waters, and a romantic sunset. You can go snorkel at the Ave Maria Island or check out the sea turtle (pawikan) sanctuary at the Turtle Island. Seafoods are always fresh. Everything is affordable, the locals are very friendly. Probably the main reason why I love Guimaras is that it offers what other islands can offer minus the noise of the restaurants and bars. “

WARNING!!! If you are reading this from another blog, it is possible that this has been copied without my permission. BYAHILO: Ito ang Trip Ko!

Byahilo in Manila Bulletin Special Travel Issue

Philippine Airlines (PAL) Buy 1 get 2 airline tickets FREE


Buy One Domestic Economy Ticket and Get 2 free domestic economy ticket. Below are the applicable routes:

Manila - Bacolod vv
Manila - Butuan vv
Manila - Cagayan de Oro vv
Manila - Cebu vv
Manila - Cotabato vv
Manila - Davao vv
Manila - Dipolog vv
Manila - General Santos vv
Manila - Iloilo vv
Manila - Kalibo vv
Manila - Laoag vv
Manila _ Legaspi vv
Manila - Puerto Princesa vv
Manila _ Roxas vv
Manila - Tacloban vv
Manila - Tagbilaran vv
Manila - Zamboanga vv

Because you deserve a better deal!

This promotion is valid for sale and ticketing from 14 to 25 April 2008 and for travel effective 15 June 2008 until 15 October 2008. Travel must be completed by 15 October 2008 only.

Promo applies to PAL services only. Flights operated by Air Philippines under our code share agreement are not included.

For bookings, call PAL Reservations in Manila: (02) 855-8888, Cebu: (032) 340-0191, Davao: (082) 222-0366 or your travel agent.

Conditions for travel:

Buy any one domestic ECONOMY ticket and take two Free of Charge (FOC) domestic tickets. Applicable on oneway or roundtrip economy class service
All fares quoted above are exclusive of insurance surcharge ,fuel surcharge and other applicable taxes
Payment and ticketing restricted to the Philippines
Confirmed booking is required
The free domestic ticket can be assigned to another passenger other than the holder of the revenue ticket
Once the FOC ticket is issued, it cannot be re-assigned. Issued tickets are non-transferable
The free ticket must be issued together with revenue ticket. 2 FOC tickets can be issued on a different dates of travel, different names, same route and must have confirmed booking
Rebooking PHP300/per transaction (applicable both revenue and foc tickets)
Reissuance fee PHP200/per transaction
Subject fare is valid for travel until 15 October 2008
All tickets shall be entitled to the normal free baggage allowance of 20 kilos
Ticket is non refundable
No other discounts will apply
Seats are limited on this fare
No mileage accrual for BCCs E / T / U and FOC tickets

WARNING!!! If you are reading this from another blog, it is possible that this has been copied without my permission. BYAHILO: Ito ang Trip Ko!

Philippine Airlines (PAL) Buy 1 get 2 airline tickets FREE

Cebu Pacific 5J Airlines now flies Manila–Kota Kinabalu Malaysia


Cebu Pacific (CEB), the Philippines’ leading carrier to the ASEAN region will start flying a direct service from Manila to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia on July 18, 2008

The new service is introduced with a promo fare offer of P499, a price cut of more than 93% from current fares for this route. The Kota Kinabalu seat sale will run from April 11 to 17, 2008 and is good for travel from July 18 to September 30, 2008. Fare is exclusive of surcharges and government tax.

CEB’s Manila–Kota Kinabalu A319 service is scheduled to operate every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The flight departs from Manila at 4:40pm, and arrives in Kota Kinabalu International Airport at 6:30pm. The return flight leaves for Manila at 7:15pm and arrives at 9:05pm.

CEB is the only Filipino carrier operating this route. Kota Kinabalu is the second city that CEB will fly to in Malaysia. CEB also offers a four-times weekly service to Kuala Lumpur.

“We are very happy to launch flights to Kota Kinabalu because of the large population of overseas Filipino workers and Filipino communities in this destination. We are quite positive that, with our low fares, the public will be taking advantage of this new offering to explore what both destinations have to offer,” Lance Gokongwei, CEB President and CEO said.

After the seat sale, the lowest ‘Go’ fare to Kota Kinabalu starts from P999 one-way, which is still 86% lower than the current fares for this route. The best way to purchase tickets is through CEB airline’s website, www.cebupacificair.com.

Now in its 13th year, CEB continues to have the youngest fleet in the Philippines. CEB flies to 12, soon to be 16 international destinations, with the addition of Hanoi tonight, Ho Chi Minh tomorrow, Kaohsiung in June, and Kota Kinabalu in July. CEB also operates flights to 21 domestic destinations.

Cebu Pacific Airlines

WARNING!!! If you are reading this from another blog, it is possible that this has been copied without my permission. BYAHILO: Ito ang Trip Ko!

Cebu Pacific 5J Airlines now flies Manila–Kota Kinabalu Malaysia

Aliwan Fiesta Streetdance Competition Winners


Aliwan Fiesta is one of the highly-anticipated events in the Philippine Travel Calendar. Imagine seeing the country’s biggest and the most colorful festivals all in one sitting. No need to hop from one province to another. No need to spend huge sums of money for the airfare, or bus trip just to see them dancing on the streets. Below is the compiled lilst of winners of the Aliwan Fiesta from its first staging until the present:

Melimud Festival Upi, Maguindanao

Aliwan Fiesta 2003 Winners:

Grand Prize: Halad Festival of Pigcawayan, North Cotabato
1st runner up: Tribu Atub atub, Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City
2nd runner up: Sarakiki-Hadang of Calbayog City
3rd runner up: Tribu Sinanduloy, Dalit Festival of Tangub City
4th runner up: Sining Pakalagyan of Maguindanao

Pamaskong Aliwan 2003 Winners

Grand Prize: Halad Festival of Pigcawayan, North Cotabato
1st runner up: Pasaka Festival of Bislig-Tanauan, Leyte
2nd runner up: Mananayaw ng Makati
Runner up: Singkaban ng Bulacan
Runner up: Kasadyaan Festival of Palo, Leyte
Runner up: Sinukwan Festival of San Fernando Pampanga
Runner up: Padang Padang Festival of Parang Maguindanao
Runner up: Zamboanga Hermosa Festiva of Zamboanga City
Runner up: Pamulinawen Festival of Laoag City
Runner up: Sining Pakalagyan of Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao

Aliwan Fiesta 2004 Winners

Grand Prize: Tribu Atub atub, Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City
1st runner up: Kahilwayan Festival of Santa Barbara, Iloilo
2nd runner up: Kadayawan Festival of Davao City
Runner up: Balyuan Festival of Tacloban City
Runner up: Kuyog a Damak of Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao
Runner up: Pamulinawen Festival of laoag City
Runner up:Padang Padang Festival of Parang Maguindanao
Runner up: Kuyog a Kang’Gelal of South Cotabato
Runner up: Fertility Festival of Obando Bulacan
Runner up: Meguyaya Sarimanok festival of Nuro Upi Maguindanao

Aliwan Fiesta 2005 Winners

Grand Prize: Pintados de Passi Festival, Passi City, Iloilo
1st runner up: Kahilwayan Festival of Santa Barbara, Iloilo
2nd runner up: Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City
Runner up: Kadayawan Festival of Davao City
Runner up: Kalilangan Festival of General Santos City
Runner up: Meguyaya Festival of Nuro Upi Maguindanao
Runner up: Desposorio Festival of Hagonoy Bulacan
Runner up: Pasalamat Festival of Pagadian City
Runner up: Pasaka Festival of Tanauan Leyte
Runner up: Kuyog A Sagayan Festival of Sultan Kudarat Maguindanao

Aliwan Fiesta 2006 Winners

Grand Prize: Lumad Basakanon Sinulog Festival of Cebu City
1st runner up: Tribu Ilonganon Dinagyang Festival, Iloilo City
2nd runner up: Pintados de Passi Festival of Passi City, Iloilo
Runner up: Halad Festival of Pigcawayan North Cotabato
Runner up: Kahilwayan Festival of Santa Barbara, Iloilo
Runner up: Pamulinawen Festival of Laoag City
Runner up: Tlutugan Festival of Maasin, Iloilo
Runner up: Pasalamat Festival of Pagadian City
Runner up: Padang padang Festival of Parang Maguindanao
Runner up: Babaylan Festival of Bago City, Negros Occidental

Aliwan Fiesta 2007 Winners

Grand Prize: Lumad Basakanon, Sinulog Festival of Cebu City
1st runner up: Tribu Ilonganon, Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City
2nd runner up: Alikaraw Festival of Hilongos Leyte
Runner up: Desposorio Festival of Hagonoy Bulacan
Runner up: Zamboanga Hermoza Festival of Zamboanga City
Runner up: Kalilangan Festival of General Santos City
Runner up: Pasalamat Festival of Pagadian City
Runner up: Padang padang Festival of Parang Shariff Kabunsuan
Runner up: Babaylan Festival of Bago City negros Occidental
Runner up: Kahilwayan Festival of Santa Barbara Iloilo

Click here for more updates about the Aliwan Fiesta

WARNING!!! If you are reading this from another blog, it is possible that this has been copied without my permission. BYAHILO: Ito ang Trip Ko!

Aliwan Fiesta Streetdance Competition Winners