Starbuck's Explore All Drinks Campaign is Misleading

Explore All Drinks:  "Do you have a special request? We’ll customize your drink to order with nonfat milk, sugar-free syrup or other options."

When we learned about this, my kids and I were happy.  So we tried exploring our own drinks in Starbucks.  Whatever we asked and/or ordered we could have it, just pay the extra cost of the additional ingredients.  True enough we can customize our drinks.   Thus, we keep coming back to Starbucks.

But my recent visit to Starbucks stores proved otherwise.  Everytime I asked for my own new blend, I have a hard time having it done.  "Ma'am, I'm sorry but we are not allowed to do that." this is the usual line I'm hearing lately.  Then I found myself complaining..."I thought you have this campaign that your customer can explore all drinks and customize them, how come now it's like that?"  In the end, I could have what I wanted - Green Tea Cream Frappuccino with non-fat milk, sugar-free syrup add mint instead, and no whip (that's my usual order), then add banana please (my latest additional order).

It has been a struggle to order my new Starbuck's blend.  Every SB stores I go to, I have to use this line "I thought you have this campaign that your customer can explore all drinks and customize them, how come now it's like that?"  One may find it weird, Green Tea w/ Banana and Mint; but when I first tried it, I instantly liked it!  That's why I keep ordering it lately.

Kudos to Starbucks SM Taytay!  The only SB that is happy to serve my customized order without any hesitation.

Green Tea Cream w/ Mint & Banana

College Entrance Tests

It's that time of the year when senior high school students apply for colleges and/or universities.  Many are busy preparing and acquiring requirements for their college entrance tests.  To help them, here are some links:

UPCAT :  The UPCAT consists of 4 subtests: Language Proficiency (English and Filipino), Science, Math and Reading Comprehension (English and Filipino). Standardized scores on these subtests are combined with the weighted average of final grades in the first three years of high school to determine qualification into UP. Moreover, to implement the policy of democratization to make the UP studentry more representative of the nation’s population, socio-economic and geographic considerations are factored in the selection of campus qualifiers. The UPCAT is on August 16 or 17, 2014.

ACET:  Applicants must go to the Admission Office of Ateneo de Manila University to acquire application forms.  Issuance of application forms started last June 16, 2014 until August 15, 2014. Deadline of submission is on August 15, 2014.  ACET will be conducted on September 20 & 21, 2014.

USTET:  Application can be done online (you may apply now) at University of Santo Tomas' website, then download and print the forms.

DCAT:  The De La Salle University College Admission Test applications can be accomplished online.  Applicants will be required to input the Academic Programs and/or Plans on the application form. The list of Undergraduate Academic Programs and Plans can be viewed or downloaded from the DLSU website.

Frank & Charles: Hunger UNSATISFIED

I was so happy when we saw this new joint in our place.  We were excited to check it out.  Finally! It opened to the public last weekend.  And so this evening, my family went to Frank & Charles for our dinner.

"Hunger Satisfied"  this is what you read as you enter F&C

This place looks so inviting with the white and red color interior.  Checking out the menu, I got surprised with the prices on the several choices.  Ouch! It would surely hurt my pocket.  But then why not if the quality is that worth it.  Since it would hurt my budget, we only got one of the cheapest burgers F&C Original (solo) and for the kids with the fries. 

I ran out of words, so let my ratings speak.  If I would rate F&C and 5 is the highest, here are the ratings:

Ambience : 4
Concept/Food presentation: 3.5 (burgers are served on a wooden flat plate)
Cleanliness : 2.5 (flies on the food) :(
Price: 2 (not worth it, rather have a BK. Buns are low quality, as if bought from a cheap bakery. Beef patty has after taste. I wouldn't buy anymore a burger P105 worth this kind of quality.  Then the fries...better pa yun P10 fries sa kanto.  Grabe! We should have eaten Whopper from Burger King.)
Service: 2 (it took 35-40min to serve 4 orders of burger + fries)

I'm a burger lover, and F&C failed to satisfy my taste buds.  Hunger UNSATISFIED!

On positive note...FREE WIFI! Connection is fast. :)

Shift of Opening of Classes from June to August

According to Rappler, two of the prestigious universities in the Philippines decided to shift the start of classes from June to August.  The University of the Philippines will start their new school calendar this coming August 2014 for school year 2014-2015 while the Ateneo de Manila University will start on August 2015.

For more updates, click here for UP and ADMU

Ways To Eat Your Apples, Eggs, etc.

How do you eat your apples?  Do you struggle peeling your boiled eggs?  What about your oranges?  There are times that we wished we could do better in eating or preparing these kind of foods.  Thank God I stumbled upon this video!  It made sense.  Less fuss, less wastage.  Cool tips.  Thanks to BuzzFeed!

USTET Results for SY 2014-2015

The result of UST Entrance Test (USTET) for colleges was released online on Tuesday, January 28, 2014.  The Admission office of the University of Santo Tomas Admission Office administered the yearly test on at least 3 test dates for 2013: September 1, September 29, and December 1.  The test was held in the main campus in España, Manila & other provincial and international testing centers.

The result will also be posted within the main campus starting Thursday, January 30, 2014.  The examiners will also receive status letters to be mailed to their respective schools.

Congratulations to all passers!

DLSU CAT Results for 2014-2015

De La Salle University released the results for their College Assessment Test (DLSU CAT) on Friday, January 17, 2014.  The list of passers is posted online.  The students must completely fill-up the inquiry form to verify the results.

The examination was conducted last September 29 and October 26, 2013 by the Office of Admissions  in DLSU-Manila.

Congratulations to all DLSU CAT passers!

ACET Results for 2014-2015

It's that time of the year that graduating high school students looking forward to see their names in the list of passers in their chosen colleges.

The agony of waiting is over for those who took the Ateneo College Entrance Test (ACET). Today, the Ateneo de Manila University released the results of ACET for SY2014-2015.  The results are now available online.

ACET was given in various testing centers nationwide and even in international locations last September 21-22 and October 4-5, 2013, respectively.

Congratulations to all passers!!