Got back from the Nuffnang Asia-Pacific Blog Awards in Singapore about two weeks ago but I still haven’t gotten around to posting. I confess, I haven’t even started sorting my photos yet, so even if I have gajillions to share, it won’t be anytime soon. Still, one thing I wanted to do when I got back was a link-luvin’ round up of all the food blog finalists. We were seated together during dinner, and while it was a bit difficult talking to each other because of the program, it was still fun sharing anecdotes and stuff. If would be awesome if you guys can get to meet them too, but I guess the best we could settle for is knowing them through their food and their blogs.

The evening’s winner was i eat • i shoot • i post. Leslie, the man behind the blog, is actually a doctor. Who would’ve thought that a doctor would espouse all those evil, evil calorific delights? Well, he does. And actually, going through his blog, it all makes sense. “Never waste your calories on yucky food,” his blog tagline goes. I’d toast to that!

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Sometimes I just want to go and post things like, “SAIZEN. DAISO. GO. NOW.” But then, I know you guys will just want to go and kill me so I should offer more info. Well, the news is, Daiso, that Japanese chain of 100 yen stores has finally opened a store in Manila. Locally going by the name of Saizen, it’s the same Daiso chain you may have visited in Japan, Singapore and Hongkong. Someone already beat them to the trademark Daiso here, hence the need to go by a different name but hey, it’s the same gigantic wallet blackhole we’ve all gotten to know and love.

Personally, I haven’t been there so I’m inviting you to visit magnetic-rose’s shop report. All her tales (THEY HAVE BENTO STUFF!) and photos have me drooling so you’ll probably see me over at their maiden store at the 3/F Ortigas Wing of Robinsons Galleria this weekend. So while I’m looking forward to Saturday, my wallet and credit card (they accept CCs!) are already weeping.

Being a stereotypical Pinoy who gets really excited whenever her country gets centerstage, these links tickled me pink! Anthony Bourdain finally blogs about his Philippine visit. In the limelight is Philippine Lechon. I think it’s pretty cool that we’re not the only ones who think that our local roasted pig is the bestest evar in the world!

And if you haven’t seen the No Reservations episode set in the Philippines yet, you may want to watch this short video clip showing him eating street food. And another one with him munching on beef that’s ugly as hell but is damned good, tapsilog (Aaack, I can’t make the links work. Just look for the video that says Philippines, Missing Scene for the tapsilog one. It’s in the list below the video window) How cool is that? Go wander off, read and watch. Enjoy!

For much of last October, much of the local blogosphere has been all abuzz with news of Anthony Bourdain being in the Philippines. True enough, everyone was talking about his visits to Pampanga, Manila, and Cebu, all in the course of taping his show, No Reservations. Rumor has it that the Philippine show is set to air in late January. Of course, if that’s too long a wait, this might just be the thing for you!

Together with Avalon.ph, we’re raffling off a first edition hardcover copy of Anthony Bourdain’s A Cook’s Tour. If that’s not enough, the copy to be raffled off is SIGNED.

More than just an online bookseller, Avalon.ph is a long established website dealing in all sorts of hard-to-find books, first editions, even signed copies. Going through Avalon.ph’s inventory always makes me drool. They have rare copies of books by my favorite authors like Banana Yoshimoto and Neil Gaiman. Plus, they also have the best prices on Moleskines, the prettiest, most fantastic notebooks I’ve had the pleasure to use. So much loved are Moleskines that the response to their Bloghopping Moleskine Giveaway contest was tremendous!
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