Make that good news for claustrophpobic fearful flyers.
Cathay Pacific is launching a new Premium Economy Class in March 2012, offering perks not available in the existing Economy Class.
On the ground, you’ll have access to priority check-in at dedicated counters and priority boarding before Economy Class passengers—plus an increase in baggage allowance from 20kg to 25kg (weight system) or two pieces of baggage at 25kg (piece system).
On board you’ll have more privacy in a separate, smaller cabin located just before Economy Class—with no more than 34 seats.
Inflight catering service will have juice and champagne as welcome drinks, and will be serving higher-quality meals. You’ll get an environmentally-friendly amenity kit, a larger pillow and noise-cancelling headset for use during the journey.

The new seats are wider and will provide more room to stretch out with a seat pitch measuring 38 inches—six inches more than Economy Class—and extended recline.
Additional comforts include a large meal table, cocktail table, footrest, 10.6-inch personal television, in-seat power outlet, multi-port connector for personal devices, and extra personal stowage space.
Premium Economy Class will be introduced on long-haul flights, beginning with the Sydney, Toronto, Vancouver and New York routes, followed by London, Los Angeles, San Francisco, continental Europe, and other key routes as the number of aircraft fitted with the product increases.
Cathay Pacific plans to have 87 aircraft fitted with the new class by the end of 2013.

(The question is: will these be available for short trips, cause I wouldn’t mind trying this one for Hong Kong?)

Source

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Apple Stores abroad have their Genius Bars. In Manila, we have Erwin of the A.Shop.
By special arrangement, I got him to fix my Macs at home. He came here last Friday, Saturday and Monday to fix my two problematic Macs I was ready to throw out the window. Now they’re working beautifully.

For Mac repairs, I only trust the A.Shop.
Here’s the 411:

A.Shop Eastwood
G/F 1800 Building, Eastwood City
Tel. 470.1286

A.Shop Glorietta
Level 3, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati
Tel. 504.4138

A.Shop Main Service Center
G/F Security Land Building, 6797 Ayala Avenue corner Rufino Street
Salcedo Village, Makati City
Tel. 812.8682

http://www.ashop.ph/

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

1) Leaf pie

2) iTunes

3) Chanel trolley

4) Pointsettias

5) A hiding place

6) A new kitchen

7) A log home

Freedom + self-control

9) Weight loss

And you?

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

I just found out my Disqus comments are currently disabled, due to the fact (I’m guessing) that I updated my WordPress last night. I’m also aware that Related Posts are also not showing. I’ve asked Van to check my blog now and see what’s going on.
Do tweet me your comments @jiritajackson for the meantime.
Thank you,
C

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Hello! While waiting for Van to fix the Disqus problem, let me give aways some prizes to my Twitter followers (read: I need to augment my dismal Twitter numbers).

Simple mechanics:
1) Promo runs now until 11:59 PM of December 16, 2011 (Friday).
2) There will be 10 winners of the following:

Pepper Lunch x Team Manila notebook
Chuvanotes by Tickles
Manansala x Freeway mousepad
The newest edition of Enjoy Cards
Php 1,000 gift check from Adidas
Php 1,000 gift check from Payless*
Php 1,000 gift check from Marks & Spencer*
Php 1,000 gift check from Accessorize
Php 1,000 gift check from Debenhams*
(*care of Stores Specialists Inc.)
Plus, a variety pack of Burlington’s softest socks!

3) To join, you must have a Metro Manila address (due to participating store locations) and a Twitter account.
4) Follow @jiritajackson on Twitter.
5) Register HERE for the electronic lottery.
6) Winners will be announced on Saturday and informed via email, Twitter and Facebook.

P.S. Sorry, comments section is currently disabled while Van tries to find a solution to the problem. Thank you very much!

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Rustan’s welcomes back Natori with its first ever boutique to open outside of the United States.
With her, Natori takes her signature Asian aesthetic that has made the brand distinct.

“Rustan’s mission is to continue to bring home world-class labels to the Filipinos, like Natori. Pioneered by a homegrown talent, its gives us pride to announce its opening at Rustan’s,” says Rustan Commercial Corporation President Zenaida Tantoco.

Natori’s Fall 2011 collection focuses on Bushido: The Way of the Warrior and explores the art and spirit of the Samurai. It shows in reworked kimonos and origami shapes in sensual fabrics and textures. Vivid colors, bold prints and intricate embroideries adorn the collection.

The new Natori boutique is now open on the 2nd floor Ladies section of Rustan’s Makati and Shangri-La Mall.
For more information, call Rustan’s Makati at 813-3739 or Shangri-La at 633-4636 or 50.

http://www.natori.com/

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

I missed Mandarin Oriental’s food tasting at Paskuhan sa Paseo Uno last week and was dying to try Chef Ed Quimson and Booj Supe’s Paella Tinola. Luckily, Charisse Chuidian of the Mandarin arranged a special dinner for me and my cousins/friends Candy and Jenny Dizon, Pia Magalona and Harold Geronimo. (Yes, Twitter hater, I have friends! #duh)

From December 5-18, 2011, Paskuhan sa Paseo Uno will offer traditional Filipino dishes along with other buffet staples for lunch and dinner, such as Paella Tinola

Pancit Buko

Binagoongan sa Calamansi

A stalwart of slow food, Chef Ed incorporates traditional Pinoy home cooking with Spanish influence.
He considers his passion for cooking as a legacy from his grandmother Doña Consuelo Tuason Quimson, with whom he shared well-spent moments in the family kitchen from as early as five years old. He started cooking professionally at 17, although was already preparing the family dinner at age 11.

Here’s my first plate:

Pork adobo, chicken shawarma, Sinampalokan Rice, bacon bits

How sad! They didn’t have Paella Tinola that night! Sinampalokan Rice wasn’t bad though. I’m guessing Paella Tinola would taste just like Haianese Chicken Rice, Pinoy version.
You know what I really loved though was the Chicken Shawarma served in a fluffy pita bread. That’s my second plate. I like it plain with sliced onion. I don’t really need sauce.

I also had a bottle of that thing I’m giving up in 2012

For dessert, I had pineapple slices due to lack of space.
Paseo Uno’s exquisite buffet spread is regularly priced at Php 1,473+++, with Friday and Saturday dinner priced at Php 1,950++ inclusive of Paseo Uno’s Luxury Buffet.
To reserve, call Paseo Uno at 750-8888.

P.S. Tweet your comments to @jiritajackson while Disqus commenting is still down. Thank you very much!

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Forever 81
By Gilda Cordero-Fernando
Philippine Daily Inquirer • Sunday, November 27th, 2011

I like Kidlat Tahimik (aka Eric de Guia) because he tried to build a galleon. I like stage director Jose Estrella for being a girl named Jose. I like Recah Trinidad because he still receives mail addressed to Ms Trinidad. Also Ambeth.
I like Joven Cuanang because he can do 32 things at the same time. I like Satur Ocampo when he’s not talking communist. I like Manny Chaves because he fills in the blanks when I forget what I’m talking about. Raymond Lee? I will steal his pink shoes!
But I love my normal friends just as much as my dented friends. Normal friends never object to things you say. They just suffer in silence. I promised my seriously dented friends that I would not write about them, so I just drew them.

P.S. Site is still under maintenance. Tweet your comments to @jiritajackson.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Only nine days before Christmas and I’m not done shopping, simply because it’s slim pickin’s for anything in Manila.
For me anyway (thank God for Johnny Air!).
Family members are the hardest to shop for, especially mom and dad. But between mom and dad, I would say Dad’s gift gives me the most stress.
That’s why I’m here to make life easier for you, by posting some of what Rustan’s has to offer—mostly for the women in your lives.
Find them at Rustan’s Ayala Center Makati, Alabang Town Center, Gateway Mall, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Robinsons Place Manila, Ayala Center Cebu and good luck!
P.S. I don’t suggest you have your gifts wrapped at Rustan’s because it’s gonna take days, I imagine. Wrap your gifts at home! That’s one of the best things about Christmas.

To see more, go to http://rustans-thebeautysource.com/.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Only 6 days before Christmas Eve. I’m not even done shopping and hoping Johnny Air will deliver the goods I ordered since November.
I try to avoid Christmas traffic, so I minimize going out and appreciate extended mall hours when there are less people to bump into (though I feel bad for the mall employees who have to work late).
As a public service to night owls like me, I’m posting holiday hours at malls where there’s a Pepper Lunch restaurant.

Rockwell
December 18-23: 10 AM-11 PM
December 24: 10 AM-8 PM
December 25: 12 noon-8 PM

Megamall
December 16-23: 10 AM-12 midnight
December 24: 9 AM AM-7 PM
December 25: 12 noon-10 PM
December 31: 9 AM-7 PM
January 1, 2011: 12nn to 10 PM

Greenbelt
December 1-22: 10 AM-11 PM
December 23: 10 AM-12 midnight
December 24: 10 AM-8 PM
December 25: 12 noon-8 PM
December 26-31: 10 AM-6 PM
January 1: 12 noon-8 PM
January 2 onwards: regular mall hours 10 AM-8 PM

Shangri-La Plaza
December 18-20: 10 AM-10 PM
Dcember 21-23: 10 AM-11 PM
December 24: 10 AM-8 PM
December 25: CLOSED

Robinsons Ermita
December 18-22: 8 AM-10 PM
December 23: 8 AM-12 midnight
December 24: 8 AM-8 PM
December 25: 12 noon-10 PM

Alabang Town Center
December 16-23: 10 AM-12 midnight
December 24: 10 AM-9 PM
December 25: 12 noon-9 PM
December 26-30: 10 AM-10 PM
December 31: 10 AM-6 PM
January 1: 12 noon-10 PM
January 2: regular mall hours

Mall of Asia (a bit confusing, so I’m posting this instead)

And while you’re at it, stop by at Pepper Lunch to eat and relax, and share a little love with the Brave Kids fighting cancer. Drop any amount of cash in our designated drop boxes, and we’ll double the total amount collected from all seven stores to buy gifts for the Brave Kids of Manila.

P.S. Please feel free to add other mall hours in the comments section. Thanks!

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

As drawn by Random.org, the 10 winners are:

#370 Leah Tamondong of Cubao
#618 Maria Johanna M. Batolos of Pasig
#676 Marlon Pasilon of Marikina City
#961 Nermaine Jel De Asis of Malate
#1044 Rizzane Ong of San Juan
#1057 Natasha D. Cayco of Rockwell
#1058 Giancarla Hernandez of Novaliches
#1103 Amy Santos of Sta. Ana
#1320 Ronna Kristel De Leon of Cainta
#1331 JELENNI B. BROJAN of Cainta

Please check your direct messages on Twitter and reply to me.
All winners will receive

a Pepper Lunch x Team Manila notebook
Chuvanotes by Tickles
Manansala x Freeway mousepad
The newest edition of Enjoy Cards
Php 1,000 gift check from Adidas
Php 1,000 gift check from Payless*
Php 1,000 gift check from Marks & Spencer*
Php 1,000 gift check from Accessorize
Php 1,000 gift check from Debenhams*
(*Care of Stores Specialists Inc.)
Plus, a variety pack of Burlington’s softest socks!

P.S. You can now buy Burlington products online and pay through credit card or Paypal. No minimum order required and currently on sale! Go to http://www.burlingtonphils.com.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Only nine days before Christmas and I’m not done shopping, simply because it’s slim pickin’s for anything in Manila.
For me anyway (thank God for Johnny Air!).
Family members are the hardest to shop for, especially mom and dad. But between mom and dad, I would say Dad’s gift gives me the most stress.
That’s why I’m here to make life easier for you, by posting some of what Rustan’s has to offer—mostly for the women in your lives.
Find them at Rustan’s Ayala Center Makati, Alabang Town Center, Gateway Mall, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Robinsons Place Manila, Ayala Center Cebu and good luck!
P.S. I don’t suggest you have your gifts wrapped at Rustan’s because it’s gonna take days, I imagine. Wrap your gifts at home! That’s one of the best things about Christmas.

To see more, go to http://rustans-thebeautysource.com/.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Hello, who gave me leaf pie? I received this at Pepper Lunch Shang with no note and just want to thank the sweet person who sent it from Singapore. Thank you very much!!

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

December 19 is special because it happens to be the birthday of my son Christian + my mom. While Christian had his first birthday party last Saturday, my mom’s was tonight.
Last Friday my dad and his friends Mr. Fujimura and Dr. Enatsu soft-opened a Japanese fusion restaurant with a very talented chef, Masaaki Ishikawa.

Mangetsu used to be located at the Creekside Mall, now closed.
My dad said Chef Ishikawa came from Nagoya, opened his restaurant here a couple of years ago before he was abandoned by his business partner. My dad and his friends loved his food so much, they convinced him to change location under new management and partnership.

My brother Dennis (L) with Mr. Takanori Fujimura

My dad is no restaurateur, so I was a bit skeptical—but he knows his Japanese food very well.
My mom invited her closest friends and family to dinner. Jeroen and I braved the Makati traffic all the way to Jupiter Street in Bel-Air, Makati.

Soft opening here

I swear, everyone on the main floor was Japanese (a good sign)

We spotted my dad’s friends from Sumitomo Metals.

Oh, there is a real sushi chef in there. In Japan you need at least four years training to become a sushi chef. I’m very particular about sushi, so I’m happy whenever I see a real sushi chef in Manila.

My sister Ana would love Mr. Chuichi Mastumoto and the sound of his geta (wooden slippers) clacking on the floor.
So Spirited Away

Dinner was upstairs

Jeroen and I arrived just in time to sit down to this large plate of sashimi. Ana took all the salmon (not in picture). I ate the tuna and hamachi with a side of sushi rice.

Next came the tori karaage (Japanese fried chicken) served with three kinds of salt, kropek and calamansi. Loved this too.

Then the wagyu beef slices cooked on top of a plate with special sauce. Jeroen says keep the three kinds of salt from the tori karaage and use this to flavor the beef. Jeroen, my brother and I had two plates of this.

Please eat this with rice

I was already full when the ebi tempura arrived. Brown this over hot coals

Plus another plate of sushi, which I took home to Mich Dulce and her mom. So full.

The menu is surprisingly large and affordably priced. I’m coming back with my hungry friends cause I wanna try the beef bowl. Click HERE to see the menu.
P.S. It’s always fun when Ana’s around.

Mangetsu is at 38 Jupiter Street, Bel-Air, Makati
Tel. 478-3292

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

It has been tradition of sorts to get together with Ferry Corsten and his wife Lia whenever they’re in town. Not all the time, but at least once or twice a year.
Dutch DJ Ferry Corsten is married to a Filipina with the cutest daughter Gabby, so it’s inevitable that they will stop by Manila during a break from his many gigs.
The get-togethers are arranged by my friend Ginggay who is related to Lia Corsten.
Our first meeting was in Gaudî in December 2010.

Ferry, Jeroen, Joris

Ginggay, Ferry, Tonichi, Lia

Last April there was lunch at Heat, Edsa Shangri-La Hotel

Jeroen, Lia, Ferry, Victor, Joy

Tonichi, Jeroen, Ferry, Victor

This year we really wanted Ferry to try the new Pepper Lunch at Rockwell. We were really happy when Ginggay texted to say the Corstens were available on Thursday afternoon at 1 PM. Tell you the truth, I’m so starstruck I don’t even talk to him.

Lia, Noel, Jeroen, Joris and Ferry shaking the salad

Ginggay and Penny gave Jeroen an iPhone for Christmas, so a thank you was in order

Rockwell has an ongoing Baker’s Fair at the food hall in the basement. I bought the yummiest cupcakes from Costa Brava. The caramel cupcake is better than Estrel’s!

The Dutch contingent arranged according to height: Lia, Ligaya, Ferry, Tark, Jeroen, Joris (he is 6’5″)

Ferry’s next stop: Club Ageha in Tokyo, Japan this Thursday, December 29, 2011.

See you next time!

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

My New Year’s resolution is to lose weight. That’s why I’m hiding behind the wall.
Cape: Initial • Skirt: Comme des Garçons • Socks: Forever 21 • Shoes: Acne • Bag: Billykirk x Opening Ceremony • Glasses: Cune

Skinny Mich Dulce at the same door

Mich and her mom opening my present*

*Placemats by special order at Bleach Catastrophe, Greenbelt 5

e-cigaret

Traffic

Merienda at Gilda’s

Paul Jatayna spotted in Proudrace at Rockwell

A Christmas greeting from the STAR

Beautiful chocolate from Villa del Conte

I always love it when the Oishi truck comes around

Our first real tree

Carolers

Big things come in big packages: a gift from Beabi

Christmas eve

Lechon!

How to say goodbye?

Looking forward

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Posting this for my dad and Tito Greg and Tito Ronny.
Merry Christmas everyone!

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

We’re back.
This trip was planned months ago and for some reason we could only get a booking to depart at 5:10 PM.
Left the house at 2:30 PM with one hour to spare at the Singapore Airlines lounge. I know it was the day after Christmas, so the male staff working at the lounge were very creepy and oversolicitous, like they were expecting a tip or pamasko. I think Singapore Airlines needs to know how creepy they are. I had no more pesos on me as we just had enough money for travel and airport taxes, so even if I was tempted to tip them, I didn’t.
The plane was an Airbus and not a 777 as I originally booked, so I was kind of scared. But Singapore Airlines has a good track record, so….

I prayed a lot and read four magazines while the boys ate. This was Jeroen’s starter

I don’t normally eat on the plane, but I it was 7 PM and my last meal was at 2 PM. There was grilled tapa on the menu. Not bad at all. Jeroen helped me eat this.

Could not resist an extra serving of garlic bread = busog

We landed safely. First to leave the plane

No wonder Changi is one of the world’s best airports. Simple yet lovely

The kids loved the indoor jungle

We took the free shuttle to the hotel

Here’s the room

The bed

The bathroom

The coffee

The welcoming committee

I fell asleep reading Time Out Singapore and saw this woman on the back page

Her name is Tae, how sad

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Hello, I’m bored na!
After lunch at Paragon, we took the boys to Giordano Kids and Toys R’Us. Then the boys hit the hotel pool for the second time today while I shopped till I dropped. It didn’t take long as I didn’t buy much. I was just tired from walking.
I got stuff at Sephora, Kinokuniya, Takashimaya, Watson’s, Forever 21, agnés b. I covered a few other stores like Muji and Rockstar and bought nothing. In short, I am bored.
I even saw leaf pie at Takashimaya and had no desire (read: sawa).

We still have until Friday to entertain the boys and hopefully make the trip more fun for them. I seriously have to explore other countries. I am bored with Hong Kong and Singapore. Parang Greenbelt lang (no offence).

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Model na siya ngayon!
These ads are all over Singapore and I’m loving it.

Hello, how guapo the son!

http://www.hm.com/

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.