KAKAO KONEK Brings Exciting Events to Philippine Cocoa Industry

Kakao Konek, what could be the most attended and well-acclaimed convention of all the stakeholders in the Cocoa industry, brings together exciting side events for its entire duration. This milestone is slated to run from November 21, 2012 to November 23, 2012.

On the first day, CIDAMI (Cacao Industry Development Association of Mindanao, Inc.) will open the event with an opening address from President Charita Puentespina at the Apo View Hotel Business Function. A 3-day exhibit of Cocoa products, collaterals and sponsors will commence there.

All throughout the event, the organizers will hold several B2B matching mini-events, where various actors in the cocoa value chain can meet over a 2-day period. Dedicated locations for the B2B Matching will be provided and facilitators will get to interact with buyers, sellers, distributors and other key industry players.

On the second day, Kakao Konek launches “Kakao Kulinarya” and “Sikwatehan sa Barrio”. The former is a cocoa-based culinary competition and showcase aimed at challenging our local talent to riase the standards of culinary and hospitality service excellence. The chocolate carving contest and cocktail concoction competitions will serve as its main attractions. This will run from 10AM to 6PM in the Abreeza Mall activity center. “Sikwatehan sa Barrio”, on the other hand, is an engaging networking and gala night where delegates make the most of the opportunity to meet new people while expanding their business and social network. This special networking event will also commence at Abreeza Mall activity center, after Kakao Kulinarya.

Kakao Konek caps off this exciting 3-day affair with Kakao Farm Tours, an entertaining and adventure-filled way to learn and appreciate cocoa farming techniques.

BLIMS Furniture Opens Davao Branch

High-end furniture retailer BLIMS Fine Furniture just made its debut in Mindanao with the grand launch of its Davao outlet on October 26.   The Davao branch is located at the 3rd Floor of Abreeza Ayala Mall, along J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City.    

BLIMS Fine Furniture business development manager Sam Gregory Lim said the Davao branch is the first of several stores the company will put up in Mindanao starting this year.  

The premier source of top of the line furniture pieces and accessories designed to exude elegance, luxury and distinction, BLIMS has been in the furniture retail business for over 35 years. It takes pride in having a wide selection of  internationally- acclaimed products that perfectly complement a healthy and elegant lifestyle.

“We have the world's best-selling recliner - La-Z-Boy, the innovative designs of Cellini furniture, and the stylish pieces of Maestro sofa, and we continue to search for products to include in our ever-growing portfolio of global furniture brands that will be made available to Filipinos,” Lim emphasized.

Lim said the Abreeza branch, which is BLIMS’ 15th showroom in the Philippines, is strategic because of its high-end market, adding that with BLIMS bringing in luxury and high-end furniture to Davao, this will make it easier for customers in Mindanao  to secure superior,  high quality pieces for their homes or businesses.

“High-end furniture is hard to find, especially if you are not living in Metro Manila. To get your dream sofa or La-Z-Boy recliner, you really have to get a good designer who can customize it for you. Fortunately, Davao customers with exquisite tastes need not scour the entire Mindanao or import items from Metro Manila just to get luxurious furniture,”  Lim explained.

BLIMS has been the gold standard in fine ready-made furniture, rightfully so since the company began the ready-made furniture craze in 1977 when Blims opened its first showroom in Makati City.

“We are not just a furniture shop, we are defining and selling lifestyles, whether you are a bachelor or newly married or a family man, you’ll find something in BLIMS,” he enthused.

Before BLIMS, Lim explained, nobody really thought of selling ready-made quality furniture in the Philippines. Custom-made furniture was then the rage but BLIMS went against the tide.

To meet market demands, BLIMS focused on great design and quality in every piece. Lim said they fused functionality and aesthetics and then pushes the boundaries a step further in pieces that are sold in every BLIMS branch.

For inquiries, please call 470-9185 or 470-9170, or email info@blimsfurniture.com, or visit www.blimsfurniture.com.ph, or visit BLIMS showrooms in Metro Manila, Pampanga, Cebu and Davao. 

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Photos by Kenth O. Bajo

Unique Snacks in Davao City

Tired of the old cheeseburgers, fries and spaghetti? Yeah, you’re not alone. Good thing Davao is not just your ordinary, easy-to-please, snack city. Here are our best picks for unique snacks within the radius:

(Photo by Renz Bulseco)

1. Crocodile Park’s Crocodile Sausage Sandwich - I’m sure you’ve seen many suspense movies where the crocodile attacks a secluded lake house and kills many people. But in crocodile park, you get to have your own sweet revenge. Just kidding, crocodiles. Indulge in an exotic snack experience by trying out the park’s Crocodile Sausage sandwich. You can pick from variants Australian cheese and Pepper sausage. Tastes just as good, with the texture a little starchier than chicken. It’s not everyday you get to change the plot of those gory movies. A sandwich only costs P95. What a treat!

(Photo by DJ Tadena)

2. Mamu’s Tetrazzini – Mother of carbonara, that’s what this yummy pasta is about. At face value, it really looks like carbonara. No surprise there, as the same ingredients are used except that this one’s creamier and the paste is only made of cream, bacon and mushrooms. No egg yolks and other extenders. From the moment it’s served, you’d feel in one with its mouth-watering aroma. After a helping, you won’t look at carbonara the same way again. Top it off with a glass of wine. A serving costs only a little below P300. Mamu’s is located at F.S. Dizon st. (formerly Bacaca road), Davao city.

(Photo by DJ Tadena)

3. Ranchero’s Merienda Cena – This roster of glamorized Filipino snacks will surely tickle your taste buds and raise the bar of your ordinary merienda sessions. Imagine belonging to one of those rich familias who have chefs  cook even their smallest meals. The must-try’s include Salad Trio, Molo Soup, Lumpiang Ubod and their native Tsokolate. Rachero’s is located at the Rooftop Garden, 3^rd flr., Abreeza mall.

(Photo by DJ Tadena)

4. Pizzaccademia’s Pop Steak Sandwich – You’d finally believe how an upscale viand can taste as good in a sandwich when you taste Pizzaccademia’s Pop Steak Sandwich. It’s made of tender, thinly sliced sirloin beef, veiled with rich cheese filling and enclosed in a pillow-soft bun. Try out their delicious pizza line too! Our favorite is their Beer Lovers Pizza. Pizzaccademia is located at the back of USEP, Loyola st., Obrero, Davao city.

(Photo is restaurant's file)

5. Zabadani’s Pita Shateerah – Even though its name sounds like a pop star, you’ll surely feel like one when you get to taste this unique Mediterranean dish. It’s made of ground spiced beef, cheese and fresh leafy greens enveloped in a sheet of lightly toasted Pita bread. Best to pair up with your regular softdrinks or one of Zabadani’s iced chocolate concoctions. Zabadani is located at The Peak, Gaisano Mall, Davao city.

So quit complaining you’ve got nothing new on the menu. 

Try these unique snacks out and change the way you tackle a once-boring recess habit! More Davao-loving picks at my personal blog: www.bitchvarsity.com.