Gervy's Amazing Cakes

Gervy's another w@wie find. We booked Gervy's cake yesterday, we met up quarter to 10 in the morning and finish the discussion after almost 3 hours. We had cake tasting, honestly, Joy San Gabriel cakes are better but in terms of design, Gervy got an edge. If you don't know Joy you will be very happy with the taste of Gervy's chocolate cake with choco fudge but since I met Joy first, all i can say is her Kilaueia is the best!
Anyway, the reason why we decided to booked Gervy is because her cakes are so so so beautiful, I am really amazed on how she does her 3 layer all edible cakes. I am glad I met her before we decide to pay DP to Joy. I am still thinking on how to get Joy cause I really love her cakes but for now we decide to settle at Gervy's cake. Gervy also does fondant cake but being a cake fanatic, fondants are never my option. Not only it is important for me that the cake looks good it is also important for us that it taste yummy. Her price are very competitive, worth every penny we will spent.

Here's our cake inspiration:

It's a 3 layered all edible Chocolate cake with choco fudge filing. decorated with fresh fruit grapes and fresh gerbera daisies and star gazer. Cake is atop to a fountain with flowers all over the table.

Very impressive, ain't it?



Gervy's Amazing Cakes
Located at 15 Narra St. South Green Park Village Tandang Sora, Q.C.
Contact Numbers are 09178374655 and (02)9294387

the News

I seldom read newspaper and watch TV news late at night pero I'm still updated at the things happening around the country. paano? syempre through internet. Since I spend most of my time in front of the computer, I might as well read something worth while from time to time.
I remember when I was still young, I read the newspaper from cover to entertainment/leisure, Oh i don't read sports page, I'm not just interested, but there comes a time that I got fed up with all the same news kidnappings, killings, graft and corruptions, rape, and all that. In every 10 headlines only 1 talks about good things. I got fed up. But when I grew up, I know these incidents will always be around. News became worst than ever, impeachments, government officials exchanging word wars and more and more killings. Even in show business, ang mga artista ngayon they are so wala lang, a lot of them starts fight because of hearsay, some of them do bad things just to be talk about and they actually love the publicity, hay! Life's been very different now, people became too aggressive, not only here in the Philippines but also with the other countries.
e para saan naman tong topic na ito. wala lang feel ko lang! naisip ko lang kasi na super grabe na ang mundo. Malapit na kaya ang end of the world? malapit na kaya magunaw ang mundo dahil super dami ng masasamang tao sa mundo? I'm not claiming that I am clean nor I didn't do anything bad, syempre I got my own flaws, naiisip ko lang if people do small things like white lies hindi na pala big deal un kasi nga grabe na ang mga ginagawa ng ibang tao.
Back to the news, I usually read GMA News blog, Journal and others for the local news. One more thing, UBE news also keep me updated about anything, they send me news through text for free! They are a group of Chinese who do voluntary works to help people. They are also Fire volunteers, if I am not mistaken Eng bee tin ang isa sa mga main sponsors, kaya nga pag tinatanong ako ng mga friends ko kung saan ang masarap na hopia, I usually say sa Eng bee tin, d naman ako mapapahiya coz that is true! toinks mukhang plugging na to ha! well... glad lang ako kasi may mga chinese na really helps people talaga without asking anything in return.
ayun! ang mga balita, masama man o mabuti tuloy tuloy pa rin, kaya kahit na I don't like to read harsh news I don't have a choice, it's already part of our daily lives, sana lang government will do things to discipline people and try to do their jobs right para maayos kahit konti ang criminal rate dito sa country natin!

Roti Mum

I'm a sucker for kopirotti's kopi buns, that's why I usually take a quick stop at the cafe. their drinks are not something to rave about but their kopi buns are the best.
We were at The Block when we pass by Roti Mum, it was a newly open kopi bun store. The smell was so lovely that Emer and I were tempted to buy kopi buns. It was a little bit expensive than Kopirotti's the price is at 40 per bun.
I find it ok, not as delicious as kopirotti's but it was ok.

One of the best Caramel Cake

One of the best Caramel Cake of all time can be found at the heart of Quezon City. I found Estrel's Bake shop only last month as I search for an all edible cake. The Caramel Cake shop was established 1946, how could a cake lover like me not know it exist! hehehe anyway, after hearing a lot of raves at my sister and her friends, Emer and I decided to check them out, they do cakes for wedding at only 5k. but since I am having a heart on getting Joy we just decided that we can buy round of cakes for ninong and ninangs. For sample taste test, we bought a whole round cake for my brother's birthday last friday. the cake cost 500 per 8" round cake, butter flowers are included, with filling. The price is a little expensive than Red Ribbon or Goldilocks but as soon as we give it a bite, we were hearing bells! it's so delicious, not being a fan of caramel I really find their cakes superb! It is indeed one of the best cakes I have ever tasted. Yummy yummy, I could eat a whole cake. The only downside is you have to consume the cake a day after you got it. The cake is so moist that when we have already consume half of the cake the butter flowers at the top collapse. We wanted to give them as a token for our principal sponsors but because of these we are having doubts. we are afraid that if we gave them Estrel's Caramel Cake on their way home the cake might turn out disaster.
After trying Estrel's we are very sure that, that will not be the last time. It is now the new favorite of the family!

Reminiscin'

As most supplier's are not available on Sunday, I just stayed home. I was cleaning my drawer when I saw a bunch of stationary, cards, slum books, diary, and some JS thinggy. I decided to clean them up, throw away some unimportant things. I read them and started reminiscing, I laugh at some, got teary eyed at most of them. I remember the song Thank You and Carry the torch from our JS days, I started singing and was so shock that I actually remember the tune. Thank you for sharing my music, thank you for singing my song, thank you for sparing a moment coz with you I feel I really belong, thank you for keeping me company, thank you for being my friend and if our path shall cross someday somewhere I'd like to sing this song again. I was so touch with the song. Sometimes, I wish I just didn't grow older, life's so simple when your young but then again not growing up means not meeting Emer, it's how life's work.
I also got a copy of the lyrics God will make a way, I remember that there was a time that I got a big big problem and the only song that keeps me moving on is that song. God will make a way, where there seems to be no way, He works in wats we cannot see, He will make a way for me, He will be my guide, hold me closely to His side, with love and strength for each new day, He will make a way, He will make a way. I really love this song, This song kept me moving on, at the deepest and darkest hour of my life. Indeed, God is Good, All the time!
So my reminiscing continues as I laugh at all the memories, and look at the pictures of my friend. How I wish I could relive the life again! But like I said, I am now happy with my life and those memories will always be a part of me as long as I live.

On Ysabelle's

I am really having doubts of booking Tina, don't get me wrong, I do really like her but chiffon gown is really too common for a bride. I dig up w@wies archive way before and I found out about Ysabelle's, there are tons of good feedback and a couple of bad, I know you can't please everybody but those feedbacks prevent me on calling them.
My best bud Tif, had her gown made by Ysabelle's, she got married early last year, and she only spoke nothing but raves. I said I might give them a try maybe I can find what I want with them. We went to Ysabelle's Makati branch yesterday, I talk to the owners Rhoda and Lawrence, they are very very nice and friendly. Since I don't have an idea which suits me best they ask Jaja (designer) to do some sketched for me, I ask her to draw me a sketch like the one Tina told me a v-neck flowing dress, but Jaja told me that it will more likely look great on me if I'll wear a princess cut gown. When I ask them if halter is a no-no for my body shape Rhoda ask me to fit a halter dress and commented that it looks great on me, better than a sleeveless v-neck neckline. Jaja draw me a sketch of a halter gown. I got 2 option for the cloth Bridal satin or the duchess satin, same flow, same color, almost same with everything except the texture. the bridal satin is cheaper by 5k. she said I decide.
The price is very very affordable, I am just worried about the pictures I saw on their albums. I saw some obvious glitches at the gowns. My best bud told me to just constantly remind them the things I am afraid of, so far she didn't encounter anything disaster or worth to be stressed to.
I am way beyond the schedule and I am still undecided. I will still check 3 more designers, and hopefully once and for all I can settle and book my designer.

Meeting Tina Lirag

At last, I finally met Tina Lirag of the New Yorker Gowns. I read tons and tons of good feedback from her. I first read a post of a co-w@wie sis (forgot her name) about her, her shop sounds so intimidating, the first thing I thought was her gowns might be expensive, after 2 or 3 months of hearing good feedback I decided to check her out. Honestly speaking, I only got a low low budget for the my gown, so I was hesitant to check out designers, I thought that my budget will only be possible if I had them made by an ordinary seamstress. I've exchange an email with sis Najah (from w@w) and she assure me that Tina really works on a brides budget. Tina is not as madaldal as what I expected, but she's good and she's frank, she gives and voice out her opinion. When Tina ask me what gown I wanted, I told her I wanted a halter a-line gown, no particular details only the cut and the neckline, but she ask me to try different gowns, different cut and different neckline. She told me that a halter is a no-no, one because when wearing halter I can't wear bra, only pads should support the bust area, and having 36c size boobs I can't use pads, It's either I have to be braless or I should wear one. Braless means not nice, since it will shape down. In the end we settle for a sleeveless v-neck. as for the cut an a-line is a not advisable for chubby girls, it will make us look wider, so Tina suggested an empire flowing cut. She said chiffon will be nice, since I needed to create an illusion of a just flowing gown. From there we started to talk about the design. She show me a sketch of a crush chiffon gown. I like it! I trust Tina knew what's best for me that's why if I book her I should give her my confidence that she will make me a nice gown. The only thing that's bugging me is the cloth she will use, it's a metallic crinkled chiffon. Some say, why only use chiffon, I should have use something better, like a satin. I don't know if because I only got a small budget or because that's the one that will look good on me, I am hesitant to book her because of that but otherwise I will go for it. Next week will be my deadline, and I hope by next week I am already sure to gave her all my trust. Tomorrow or Saturday, we will check our Ysabelle's, from there I will decide. Gosh! I hope I do make a wise decision. Of course, I wanted to look great on my day!

Cake Tasting with Joy San Gabriel

I so love Joy! I've been wanting to set a meeting after reading all praises for Joy's cake at w@w, I first her raves about her from Suzzy, a fellow w@wie sis. I am almost sure that I wanted edible cake, since I am a cake lover, a dessert lover and a sucker for sweets I opt for an all layer all edible cake. Last PICC bridal fair, I had a chance to try a bite of Joy's caramel cake and Kilauea. I so love how it taste, I so love the cake, but since she is not at the site and her assistants are not capable of giving me an exact price and designs of the caramel cake, I decided to meet with her. Her kitchen is located at 20 Bayani St. Galas, Q.C.
Since, the kitchen is near our place and I prefer to see the work place, I chose to met her at her kitchen.
Emer and I, along with our sister, by the way, I tag her along for opinions for the gown sketches of Tina Lirag, reach Bayani St, exactly 10am. We had cake tasting, her cakes are really great! I so love her caramel cake, and since I am a chocolate addict, I find her Kilaueia, the best! Joy is very very nice, she discuss almost everything in detail, I wanted Kilaueia for my cake but since it's really dark it's a no-no for Chinese so we opt for caramel cake. I find 3 layer cake small so I ask if she can make me a 4 layer cake, but she reminded me that 4 might not be favorable, since 4 is "si" in chinese meaning death, she told me that my parents might object, so it is definitely a no-no, 5 layers might be too heavy for all edible cake and if ever it is more expensive than our budget so i cut it off my list.
I originally wanted this design:But since I wanted a taller cake we settle for a 3 layer with stand. It will look taller and nice. for 9500, I will have a 3 layer with stand and flowers in between the level. Cheap ain't it? Joy don't have actual picture of the cake I wanted she showed me a same design cake but using cheesecake top with strawberry, i'll post the picture, so just visualize what will my cake look like.I almost wanted to book her right then and there but I wanted to check Gervy first. I find Joy not only nice but really talented, especially when I saw her hand made cakes, the price of each cake is not as affordable as Goldilocks o Red Ribbon but her cakes got personal touch and are really really impressive. Before we bid goodbye, we bought some Revel Bars and Chocolate Crinkles first. Her Revel Bars are yummy nd her Chocolate Crinkles is the best crinkles I have ever tasted. Take not I am not a fan of chocolate coated with confectioner sugar, yet, I find her sooooo yummy!

Call Joy San Gabriel for meeting, her number is 09175278837. Kitchen Located at 20 Bayani St. Galas, Q.C. Check out her website at www.joysangabrielcakes.blogspot.com

picturan sa Tagaytay

Since we are going to Tagaytay and since I had thmu, we decided to do some picturan sa tagaytay. We frequently visit the place to relax, spend time together, do some sports, at higit sa lahat wala lang, we just love Tagaytay so much. Originally plan, we should arrive Tagaytay around 3pm, pose some shots para masanay para sa aming pictorials for wedding. I miscalculated the time, I thought my trial HMU will only last for a couple of hours pero it lasted for more or less 3 hours, hehehe!
Anyway, we arrived Royal Tagaytay around 5pm, my brother took us some pictures using our not so ok digicam, (dang! it's starting to show some signs of retirement), we haven't been able to play badminton or bowling or billiards, and we didn't swim na rin kasi lumalamig na. oh well, hindi kami nakagawa ng kahit anong sports, kahit ping pong man lang! tinamad na rin kami eh! the weather is cool and chillin which makes us so tamad to move our muscles. We had an early dinner, ordered blueberry cheesecakes and some take out (we have to consume 1500 for each member and we have 2) and off we go. the club close at 9pm but since we are the only ones left at the club my dad decide to just go to other place for tambay. it was 830 when we arrived at Sanctuario for a cup of coffee or tea or chocolate. The place is awesome! nice for picture taking to bad, our digicam starts to not function well. Anyway, I so love their hot choco and raisin bread, I started to like Sanctuario more than Bag of Beans. We call it a night when the clock reach 10pm. We still need to deliver our take outs to our Ama (lola) and Uncle.
We had a lot of fun since it's been quite a few months since we visit Royal Tagaytay, Emer and I usually drive to Tagaytay at night only to have dinner and coffee.
Check out our DIY Prenup, pics courtesy of my brother Garry.

THMU with EJ Litiatco

Yesterday, I had a trial hair and make up with EJ, I really love her, she's beautiful and nice and very easy to talk to, same goes with her sister Mara who helped her the whole time.
I woke up early and very excited. We reach EKA Salon at Visayas Ave. near Gazebo Royale at exactly 915am at my time. We started minutes after we arrived. I'm not really comfortable sitting hours just doing nothing. but anyway, since I am excited what will the outcome be, my patience got over me (a not your ordinary me). We finish almost 12nn. Personally, I find my make up nice, my h2b like it , way better than my first trial as he says. I got mixed reaction thoughe, some say the make up is too light and some say I lookfresh and radiant. They suggested to have another trial with another artist, from there I choose. Anyway, after 3 hours, the make up starts to look dull, the only make up left to notice was the eye shadow, We arrived Tagaytay 5pm and the weather is really cool so there's no reason for me to sweat. and I spend most of the time inside the car with aircon on so I guess, the make up might be really light on me. So I guess if I'll book her for my wedding, retouch is a must
I told her I don't want my hair up coz my chubby face will be enhance, so I prefer my hair down. I so love how she does with my hair, perfect! although If ever I'm gonna get her for my wedding I am going to have my hair curl using digital (for big curls, I don't exactly know the right term) so the curl will stay the whole day and I'm gonna put some bangs for more enhancement.
I'm still confuse if I'm gonna get her or not, need more reactions and I guess have to do another trial.

here's my before and after


Here's my hair naman:
nice divah! papalagay ako ng bangs and will have my hair done at digital curl


More Pics


EJ Belen Litiatco - 09175300423
www.ekasalon.multiply.com or www.ejblitiatco.multiply.com or
http://ejblitiatco.blogspot.com/

EKA Salon Located at Visayas Avenue Ext. Q. C.