Happy Mooncake Festival!

Last Wednesday marks the end of the Ghost Month for 2013 which means starting Thursday, people already resumed with their normal activities. Ghost month is the 7th lunar month in the traditional Chinese calendar. It is believed to be an inauspicious month when all important or major activities are suspended and this includes but not limited to wedding preparations, house constructions, etc. That is also the reason why business is at its lowest especially restaurants because no big parties were being held for the whole month. The ghost month this year started Aug. 7 until Sept. 4, 2013. I actually love the month of August because aside from having many holidays, it's my birth month! But sadly, so many bad news transpired: there was the Cebu ship incident, the Typhoon Maring, and the Million People March. I won't tackle them any further as I'm not really into current events. Anyway, I just noticed that all of those happened during the ghost month. 

But don't worry, 8th lunar month or the season of mooncake is here. I love it because aside from eating mooncakes, it also comes with the tradition of playing of dice games. And because this month is considered as auspicious month, it's also the best time to hold weddings and birthday parties. My September is full of parties, three weddings and one birthday party to be exact. Yipee I'm so excited!

And speaking of mooncake, have you seen the biggest mooncake in the Philippines? The size is 75 inches circumference, 24 inches diameter and 3 inches thick. It's real and 100% edible. It is currently housed inside Eng Bee Tin Ongpin branch just beside Binondo Church. They are famous for their hopia, available in various flavors. Aside from hopia, they also sell other Chinese delicacies, sweets, breads and pastries.

Just a side note on their other product lines. My friend highly recommended me to try their Custard Hopia (P48) because it's soft and somewhat melts in your mouth just like leche flan. It's different from regular Hopia because Custard Hopia needs to be refrigerated. I have also tried their Mochipia because I got curious with the coined word for Mochi and Hopia. I loved it because I can feel the chewy mochi inside the hopia. Then I also bought their Almond Cake (P9.00) and Coconut Cake (P13.00) as these two reminds me of my dad who used to buy them for us when we were still small. Please refer to the photos below.





Eng Bee Tin delicacies. Biggest Mooncake was there since Aug. 23 and will sit there until Sept. 30, 2013.

Anyway, I'm inviting you to visit Eng Bee Tin Ongpin and have your photo taken with the biggest mooncake and get to take home a small mooncake (just like in the photo above) for Free after liking their Facebook Page! Follow them also on Twitter @iloveengbeetin for updates and promos. You might want to participate in their ongoing promo Mooncake Photo Craze. #giantmooncake

Did you know that the owner of Eng Bee Tin is also a fire fighter? His name is Mr. Gerry Chua. He even made a coffee shop for the firemen, named Café Mezzanine. It's just a few steps from Eng Bee Tin Ongpin. The place is quiet, peaceful, a wifi zone, and a feel-good hang-out place because when you order, you also help the fire volunteers.
 





At Café Mezzanine. Photo op with Mr. Gerry Chua, the owner of all things purple in Binondo, also known as Mr. Ube.

They also give out a complimentary DVD on Fire Safety Tips and CPR Tips to remind the household on what to do in times of emergencies. The DVD also includes their history and other video clips related to their company. They also offer text messaging services known as TXT FIRE where you can receive UBE News for free when you register on the number (see the lowest portion of my photo collage) above. You can also easily report a fire through that number.

Aside from Eng Bee Tin Chinese Deli and Café Mezzanine, they also own Chuan Kee and Mr. Ube Rice and Noodle House, all located along the famous Ongpin Street. So if you love all things ube, come and visit them here in Binondo!

Happy Mooncake or Mid-Autumn Festival! September 19 is the actual Moon Cake Day! See you around!

Mommy Sally

Binondo Supermarket

Binondo is a place close to my heart. When I was still in Grade school, I usually spent my summer vacations in Binondo area. Most of my relatives live here and I have also worked here before. By the way, I didn't grew up in Binondo, I just transferred here when I got married. Somehow, it's fun to live in Binondo because the streets are narrow. You can easily tour around and go to places by foot. Fun because I can go out without the need of a car so it's economical. Many things have changed in this place since then. New malls, hotels, banks, condominiums, shops have been sprouting out left and right. And one of the few infrastructures that remained constant is this famous supermarket called Shoppers' Mart located along Ongpin Street corner E.T. Yuchengco (formerly known as Nueva St.). It has become one of the trademarks of Binondo and the usual meet-up place for people.

So far, Shoppers' Mart is the only nearest supermarket that is walking-distance from our place. You get a Chinatown-feel when you are inside because of the Chinese songs being played in the background. It is known for selling Chinese delicacies and imported goods aside from the regular commodities also found in other supermarkets.

Shopper's Mart, the famous Binondo supermarket

Last Sunday, after visiting a nearby sale as mentioned on my previous blog post, I head on to Shoppers' Mart to buy some groceries for my family. And because it was also the birthday of Baby A's yaya, I thought of surprising her with a simple grocery gift pack. My budget for that was only P100 so I challenged myself to look for some basic necessities that would fit in that amount. From there, I realized that P100 is just too small to buy her some personal care essentials. I only got seven items and the three important ones already consumed 80% of the budget. For the remaining 20%, I just bought a few snacks for her to munch and share with the other helper.

Here's what I've got: Jumbo Zest Soap P20.25, Rejoice Shampoo 3in1 16ml 6 sachets P29.50, Beam Toothpaste Active Spearmint 100ml P28.25, Regent Cheezels 30g P5.25, Oishi Prawn Cracker Sweet & Extra Hot 24g P5.25, Jack n Jill Shing-a-Ling ni Mang Juan Adobo 26g P5.50, and Jack n Jill NIPS White Choco 40g P10.25, actually it's a total of P104.25! I even went a little over the budget. The value of our money is really becoming very small. :) Then I put them inside a paper bag to make it presentable.


simple grocery gift pack for yaya's birthday. I gave them Melona too to let them try its creaminess! :)

The reason for sharing you this Binondo supermarket is because I find their goods cheaper compared to other supermarkets. One item that proves it was their Melona Korean ice cream. It sells for only P25 each. I know Metro Supermarket is selling it for P35 and it could go even higher (maybe P40) when you avail from Korean restaurants such as Kogi Bulgogi, Korean Village, etc. It's just P5 difference from the commercialized P20 Cornetto but its creaminess is worth it. So far I've tried the four flavors: Melon, Mango, Strawberry and Banana. All are yummy because they tasted just like the real fruits but Melon (green) flavor would be the best.

Shopper's Mart in Ongpin, Binondo sells Melona for only P25. Their goods are also cheaper here. :)

If ever you've decided to drop by the Binondo area and shop at Shoppers' Mart, try to visit Sto. Cristo de Longgos shrine as well. It's the small altar outside and at the right side of the supermarket along T. Pinpin Street. It's a Catholic cross but practices Buddhist's lighting of incense. I usually light three sticks every time I have the chance to pass by that area. When I was still single, I used to pray for me to find my Mr. Right and last year I prayed for my safe delivery. So far, my prayers have been granted that's why I believe in this shrine. Try it! :)

Sto. Cristo de Longgos shrine

 That's it for now. I shall tour you more around the Binondo next time. See you around folks!

Do share your Binondo experience and good finds to me too, okay?

Mommy Sally