Joyfully Yours

Dream Up Festival is a proletarian collective work that happens over a year but is only seen for 3 weeks. The festival consists of performing artists representing theater and performance companies in their theater complex in downtown New York since 2010. 

This year, Filipino Playwright Joel Trinidad joins the festival with his short play, "Zandar the Magnificent" which runs until September 8!

Theater for the New City (TNC), the organizers of Dream Up Festival, has consistently been the most inexpensive theater of its caliber and the institution continues its commitment to affordable tickets with this festival. Dream Up Festival ticket prices will range from $12-$18 for the participating productions. Most of the productions will be staged at least five times. 

Joel Trinidad, on the other hand, is a prominent actor/writer/director from the Philippines who loves the arts more than anything else so it's just perfect that he becomes part of this festival! Joel has just completed his first novel, "Budapest Blues." His short plays "Crush Hour" and "Witchslap" have recently been produced in NYC, where he spends several months of every year. He is currently in the Philippines playing the role of Mad Hatter in Repertory Philippines's "Alice in Wonderland."

Joel Trinidad (Photo by Studiyo)

For tickets, show schedules and to know more about Dream Up Festival, please visit their website http://www.dreamupfestival.org/ or follow them on Facebook: Dream Up Festival.

Tumble down an enchanted rabbit hole with Alice into a world with talking animals and objects and whimsical wordplay for a fantastical new adventure from Repertory Philippines’ Theatre for Young Audiences 2013 offering with the staging of  Alice in Wonderland. 

I was so surprised that it's the first time Dani Gana has played a main role in Alice in Wonderland as Alice yet she’s quite good in acting for a first timer as a professional actress. She has effectively captured the audiences’ attention and the kids’ laughter from her acting, singing and dancing.

Dani Gana as Alice

At the right: Liesl Batucan as Story Teller and Duchess

James Stacey as Caterpillar

Copper Urmenita as Butterfly

Don't underestimate Twisted Candy even if it is only a stall inside SM City North Edsa! Their eye catching candy designs will surely make one stand there for hours to discover what else can these candy makers do.

Feel free to click this photo to look closer at the designs! :)

Whoever thought of this wonderful idea where candy designing possibilities are endless! Yes, it is endless! One can have any candy design customized! If you have a kid who loves minions, have candy minions made! If you want to show your love to your special someone or parents, get the pink heart (photo below)! Maybe if you have an upcoming party, you can even make these as your party giveaways. What's more? One can even choose the candy's flavor! Amazing, isn't it?!

There's so many choices! It's going to be tough in choosing which flavors from these! Everything looks yummy!

Looking at the process being done in this stall just makes one feel transported to this candy land somewhat like how the kids in the movie "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" felt.

The candy mixture is being cooked.

Stretching the candy while making it cooler.

The candies are just too beautiful to eat but once you get to smell them, just having one is not enough! It melts easily on your tongue like a burst of sweet sensation that you just have to eat another one and another one until you get full!

Freshly made candies being put in a jar.

Lots of smiles to brighten one's day!

Aside from the circle candies with a design at the center, Twisted Candy also makes flower candies which are good for guys who would like to express their feelings to their crush! ;)

It's a rose!

The Twisted Candy that I went to is located at 3/F The Block, SM City North Edsa. They also have another branch in Robinson's Galleria. Go visit and try to catch them making candy! It's actually very entertaining looking at the candy makers create their masterpieces and the smell of candies is mouthwatering too!

For more details on Twisted Candy, you can check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/twistedcandyph

Chicken has always been a staple in any Filipino food so it's hard not to resist the big sign on Buffalo's Wings N' Things knowing that they serve chicken! If you ask me what food I'll never get tired of, I'll easily tell you it's chicken and salmon! =)

Look at that crowd inside and outside! :)

 Aside from chicken wings, the menu boosts of other American food items like burger, fries, etc.

The menu

The Buffalo Wings' amount of spiciness can be selected between K-Bomb, Ultimate Wingsanity 1.0/2.0, Nuclear and Armageddon. I'm trying K-Bomb since spicy food gives me pimple breakouts so I'm limiting my level of spiciness.

K-Bomb Buffalo Wings

Aside from the spicy selections, Buffalo's Wings N' Things also offers the non-spicy selections like K-Pop, Garlic Parmesan, Jalapeno Cheddar (a little mild spice if you eat the jalapeno) and Honey BBQ. Since I love cheese and was trying to limit spice, I've chosen to try Garlic Parmesan.

Garlic Parmesan

For those who do not like to get their hands dirty from eating all these chicken wings, you have the option to have it in chicken tenders!

K-Pop

Honey BBQ

If you love dips, definitely try all their dips! They complement any of their chicken and give out an additional twist of flavor. They have Buffalo Ranch, Bleu Cheese and Honey Mustard dips. I like the Buffalo Ranch best because of its sweet tangy taste!

The dips

Our server is actually very accommodating with all the questions I was asking about their food. She has also suggested me to try their non-chicken entrees just to let me know that they're not only good in cooking chicken.

Our server, Jesamine, in her Wingsanity shirt which is their uniform.

Since I love cheese, these Chili N' Cheese Nachos are just perfect because of the generous amount of cheese on top! The chili is not that spicy which I like. I think kids will love it too.

Chili N' Cheese Nachos

The Triple Mini Burgers are good for sharing and if you're going for a light snack with friends, these mini burgers are just perfect! The beef patty has the right amount of thickness and juiciness!

Triple Mini Burgers

I recommend this place for friends who want to hang out for a snack or light lunch/dinner while chatting since the ambiance is quite laid back.  

This particular branch of Buffalo's Wings N' Things which I went to is located at SM City North Edsa. However, they also have branches in the following locations:
1. Ortigas Home Depot, Pasig
2. Solenad 2, Nuvali
3. Sgt Esguerra, QC
4. SM Megamall
5. Alabang Town Center

For more updates about them, you can check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/get.buffaloed

There's no way to get lost to be able to go to Brickfire. Upon reaching the Upper Ground Floor of The Annex in SM City North Edsa, one will detect a yummy steak smell that will surely tickle your nose and just bring you inside the restaurant! The restaurant's decors are filled with grill inspired decors. Their signage, lamps and chairs give a feel that you're going to get steaks grilled to perfection at any moment! The walls are made of bricks that looks like you're inside the oven too but don't worry, it's cold inside the restaurant.

The counter

The interior and lamps

The chair

Close up of the lamp! I actually like how it looks like. So mysterious! :)

I think that the decors were made like this to give a feel that it's going to be worth the wait since it takes around 15 minutes for every order of steak to come out because it's made fresh as one orders it.

Chef showing the brick oven.

Look at how clean this kitchen is! A big check!

Steak coming out!

Whenever one hears the word steak, the first thing that pops into mind is this slab of juicy mouthwatering beef that is so delicious yet expensive! Over the years, people try to market the name steak as something affordable like KFC's Chicken Steak or Jollibee's Burger Steak however, somehow a part of the mind says it's just marketing and these are not real steak as what one envisioned it to be. With the affordability which Brickfire offers, you'll be surprise with the kind of steak it offers!

The Duke is actually my favorite so I'm highlighting it!

The other meats! :)

As I've mentioned above, my favorite dish here is The Duke. It's made from tenderloin, cooked medium just how I like it. Very soft, tender and melts in your mouth smokey taste with a hint of salt and pepper! I actually didn't put on the gravy anymore since it's so good on its own!
 For those who like the bone, loves lingering taste of steak in your mouth by slowly chewing it, the Cowgirl Annie is for you! It's soft but not as tender as The Duke but since it needs more time for chewing, the juiciness of the meat just explodes in each bite!

This is the 200g version of Cowgirl Annie.

Those with bigger appetite can order this 350g version of Cowgirl Annie.

Pardon me for jumping right into the meat part right away since I was so excited to share how good the steaks are! Brickfire also offers a number of delicious appetizers and pasta!

The starters and sides

Mango Crab Salad with dressing on the side.

Green Pasta - Pesto, Shrimp & Garlic

For cheese lovers, you have to order this! It takes a while for this order to come out but it's going to be so worth the wait! This is the Baked Fish. It's sole fish baked with cheese, tomatoes, onions and lemon grass. It's creamy, tangy and cheesy goodness that melts in your mouth!

Baked Fish

A closer look!

If you're wondering why or how did Brickfire make their steaks' prices so affordable? The Marketing Manager of Brickfire, Ms. Jowie Maulawin, explained that the meat is produced here in the Philippines specifically in Batangas and Bukidnon. She also explained that the owner's parents is the supplier to a lot of restaurants that serve steak in the Philippines. The owner took this advantage and decided to make Brickfire to bring affordable, classy steaks to those who love to eat quality good steak!

L-R Chef Rowell Capistrano (the head chef) and Marketing Manager Jowie Maulawin

To give a sweet ending to a wonderful meal, remember to take a look at Brickfire's desserts counter for their dessert offers which changes from time to time!

Chocolate cupcakes

Mango Cheesecake

Blueberry Cheesecake

Mudpie

Nutella Cheesecake

If you're craving for steak and heading north anytime soon, remember to drop by Brickfire! I swear, you'll love it there!