Smart Load Promos — But With A Catch!

Smart Communications with the start of the new year 2024 has launched a new promotion for their loads for their Smart Prepaid sims.

Their new promotional loads are as follows:

P200 + free P22 (non-shareable)

P300 + free P33 (non-shareable)

P500 + free P55 (non-shareable) 

That's an 11% bonus for each load. Sounds great right? But there's a catch! The entire load is only valid for 30 days instead of 1 year for the regular non-promotional load of the same denomination. That difference is pretty clear in the shot above taken from Smart's website but it is hidden in the presentation given in the Smart App. 

If you are going to quickly consume the load for a subscription to one of Smart's other promo offers then it is a worthwhile deal. However, if you were planning to load the cellphone sim merely to have a backup load and so that the sim does not expire this is not the load to use.

Recipes Restaurant

Recipes by Cafe Metro is a restaurant chain mainly serving Filipino favorites. Recipes, which prevously went by the name Cafe Metro, was founded by Miguel and Ria de Guzman in the early 2000s. Among its most popular offerings are its General's Chicken and Crispy Tilapia.

Recipes Branches

• Recipes Greenbelt 3 2nd Level – 728-0920
• Recipes Trinoma 2nd Level – 901-3686
• Recipes Alabang Town Center 2nd Level Corte de Las Palmas – 772-2216
• Recipes Midtown Robinsons Place Manila 2nd Level – 567-1912
• Recipes Shangri-La Plaza Mall 5th Level – 637-4050
• Recipes Newport Mall 4th Level – 822-1547
• Recipes Soledad 2 Nuvali – (049) 302-0032

Recipes Menu    as of July 2012

Appetizers
Thai Spring Rolls	138
Chicharon Bulaklak	168
Spicy Squid	168
Soup (serves 2)
Chicken Sotanghon Soup	215
Sinigang na Bangus	255
Sinigang na Baboy	265
Noodles (serves 2)
Bihon	210
Canton	215
Sotanghon	215
Vegetables
Laing	135
Cafe Metro Chopsuey	135
Tofu w/ Garlic Sauce	135
Generl's Tofu	138
Tofu Teriyaki	145
Gising Gising	175
Chicken
Grilled Chicken w/ Tamarind Sauce	180
Chicken Curry	190
General's Chicken	218
Pork
Dinuguan	170
Pork Binagoongan	215
Lechon Kawali w/ Kangkong	218
Seafood
Crispy Bangus	185
Bangus Belly w/ Mango Relish	190
Bangus Teriyaki	190
Fish Fillet (escabeche, curry sauce, or garlic sauce)	190
Crispy Tilapia	218
Crispy Tilapia Escabeche	225
Crispy Tilapia w/ Tamarind Sauce	225
Crispy Tilapia w/ Lemon Grass Curry	235
Mixed Seafood	250
Chili Prawns	290
Gambas	290
Prawn Tempura	290
Beef
Beef Steak Tagalog	248
Crispy Tadyang	248
Korean Beef Stew	258
Kare Kare (serves 2)	368
Rice+1 (w/ glass of Iced Tea) Add P10.00 for Garlic Rice
Bangus Steak w/ Rice	170
Garlic Chicken w/ Rice	170
Pork Inihaw w/ Rice and Sidings	170
BBQ Chicken w/ Rice and Sidings	175
Chicken Teriyaki w/ Rice and Sidings	175
Korean BBQ Short Ribs w/ Rice and Sidings	175
Adobo Flakes w/ Rice and Egg	180
Beef Tapa w/ Rice and Egg	180
Salad
Chicharon-Eggplant	90
Catfish-Mango	105
Rice
Plain Rice	38
Cafe Metro Garlic Rice	48
Classic Garlic Rice	48
Seafood Rice (serves 2)	118
Drinks
Bottled Water	38
Real Leaf Iced Tea	48
Minute Maid Pulpy Orange	50
Hot Tea	50
Brewed Barako	50
Juices in Can	50
Softdrinks in Can	50
Beer	60
Bottomless Iced Tea	65
Lemonade Juice or Shake	65
Fresh Fruit Juice or Shake	85
Dessert
Dessert of the Day	90

North Park

North Park is a restaurant serving Chinese food. North Park's Chinese food falls somewhere between authentic and North American Chinese fastfood. There are better places for dimsum, noodle soups, and congee and most of their main dishes are unremarkable, but they are good with most of their fried battered offerings. Few local places seem to know how to cook squid but North Park is one that does. In previous years I would have said that North Park is a great value but with their price increases I can no longer do so since even with their quick eatery vibe they are now priced in line with other fancier restaurants. If they are still less expensive in comparison it is because they do not have a mandatory service charge. Orders for delivery can be placed at 73737 for select areas within Metro Manila.

North Park Branches

• North Park Alabang Town Center
• North Park Araneta Coliseum
• North Park Banawe
• North Park Cablubang
• North Park Convergys
• North Park Edsa Central (Greenfield)
• North Park Glorietta 5
• North Park Greenhills (P. Guevarra)
• North Park Leviste
• North Park Macapagal
• North Park Makati Avenue
• North Park Manila Ocean Park
• North Park Market! Market!
• North Park MarQuee Mall
• North Park Medical City
• North Park SM Bicutan
• North Park SM Muntinlupa
• North Park South Supermarket Filinvest
• North Park South Supermarket Valenzuela
• North Park Santa Rosa
• North Park Trinoma

North Park Menu    as of August 2012

Dimsum
	3 pcs.	6 pcs.
Fresh Prawn Dumpling (Fried or Steamed)	149	223
Potstickers (Fried or Steamed)	113	208
Wanton (Fried or Steamed)	88	128
Shanghai Rolls (5 pcs.)		148
	4 pcs.	8 pcs.
Pinsec Frito	88	138
Taipao		103
Asado Pao		64
Bola Bola Siopao		58
Steamed Tofu in BBQ Sauce		118
Siomai (4 pcs.)		88
Chicken Feet		88
Century Egg & Jelly Fish Salad		173
Fried Savory Taho Squares		108
Shark's Fin Siomai (4 pcs.)		88
Noodles in Soup
	Light	Reg.
NS1. Nanking Beef	132	163
NS2. Aniseed Beef Tendon (Litid)	142	165
NS3. Fresh Prawn Dumpling	158	238
NS4. Wanton	104	141
NS5. 3 Kinds of Mushroom	104	139
NS6. Double Pork Rib	104	141
NS7. Nanking Beef & Wanton	124	158
NS8. Aniseed Beef Tendon & Wanton	124	158
NS9. Fresh Prawn Dumpling & Nanking Beef	143	193
NS10. Fresh Prawn Dumpling & 3 Kinds of Mushroom	143	193
NS11. Fresh Prawn Dumpling & Aniseed Beef Tendon	143	193
NS12. Wanton & 3 Kinds of Mushroom	109	141
NS13. Nanking Beef & Aniseed Beef Tendon	142	192
NS14. Pork Rib & Fresh Prawn Dumpling	143	181
NS15. Pork Rib & Wanton	122	153
NS16. Szechuan Tan Tan Mien		153
NS88. Ultimate Noodles		249
Braised Noodles (Dry)
BN17. Nanking Beef		188
BN18. Aniseed Beef Tendon (Litid)		188
BN19. Wanton		158
BN20. Fresh Prawn Dumpling		243
BN21. 3 Kinds of Mushroom		168
BN22. Double Pork Rib		168
BN23. Szechuan Tan Tan Mien		173
Yee Mien Noodles
YM2. Fried Wanton		178
Superior Soup
SS41. Nanking Beef		183
SS42. Aniseed Beef Tendon		183
SS43. Wanton		143
SS44. Fresh Prawn Dumpling		228
Special Fried Rice
SFR29. Fried Rice Souffle w/ Sauce		176
SFR30. Fookien Style Fried Rice w/ Sauce		176
SFR31. Salted Fish w/ Chicken Fried Rice		168
SFR45. Yang Chow Fried Rice		168
SFR46. NP Special Fried Rice w/ Sauce		228
SFR59. Pineapple Fried Rice w/ Pork Sausage		178
SFR60. Wok Fried Garlic Rice		148
SFR61. Crab Meat Fried Rice		188
Steamed Rice Served
SR24. White Chicken		153
SR25. Nanking Beef		188
SR26. Aniseed Beef Tendon (Litid)		188
SR27. Double Pork Rib		153
SR28. Soy Sauce Chicken		153
SR87. Lechon Macau over Fried Rice		248
Plain Jasmine Rice		48
Signature Dishes
ND49. Fried Beancurd Skin w/ Shiitake Mushroom in Oyster Sauce		132
ND51a. 3 Kinds of Mushroom w/ Broccoli (Kailan) in Oyster Sauce		117
ND51b. 3 Kinds of Mushroom w/ Broccoli Flower in Oyster Sauce		153
ND52a. North Park Special Toasted Noodles		268
ND52b. North Park Chow Mein		268
ND53a. Kind Dao Spareribs		203
ND53b. Salt & Pepper Spareribs		203
ND72. Taiwan Petchay w/ Black Mushroom & Pacific Clams in Garlic Sauce		208
ND73. Salted Garlic Squid		208
ND77. Vinegared Tofu		163
ND78. Manchurian Calamares		224
ND80. Boneless Fried Chicken Chops		198
ND81. Wok Fried Lapu-Lapu Fillet in Superior Sauce		239
ND83. Head-off Prawns w/ Sweet Chili Sauce		328
ND84. Salted Peppered Head-off Prawns		328
ND85. Boneless Honey Garlic Pork Spareribs		203
ND86. Mapo Tofu		175
Best Sellers
ND48. China Chicken (Half Chicken)		258
ND50a. Broccoli (Kailan) in Oyster Sauce		103
ND50b. Broccoli Flower in Oyster Sauce		133
ND69. Shanghai Chicken (Half Chicken)		253
ND70. Sweet & Sour Lapu-Lapu Fillet		253
ND71. Sweet & Sour Pork		228
ND74. Stir Fry Beef w/ Broccoli (Kailan)		233
ND75. Stir Fry Beef w/ Broccoli Flower		268
ND76. Ampalaya Con Carne		208
ND79. Boneless Honey Lemon Chicken		223
ND82. Soft Tofu Veggie Stir Fry		253
ND87. Stir Fry Choi Sim in Garlic Sauce		148
Hot Pot Dishes
HP1. Nankind Beef & Tendon w/ Radish		238
HP2. Lapu-Lapu Fillet w/ Soft Tofu		273
HP3. Lechon Macau w/ Eggplant		258
Roast Specialties
RS54. Roast Combination Platter		354
RS56. BBQ Pork Asado		168
RS58. Dried Pork Sausage		203
RS86. Lechon Macau		248
Superior Congee
	Light	Reg.
SC32. Crystal Prawn Blanched in Congee w/ Shiitake Mushroom	153	206
SC33. Pacific Clams & Sliced Tender Beef Congee	112	148
SC47. North Park Superior Congee		198
Congee
	Light	Reg.
C36. Pork Bola-Bola	98	126
C37. Chicken Ball w/ Shiitake Mushroom Congee	103	136
C38. Fresh Lapu-Lapu Fillet Blanched in Congee	118	153
C39. Shredded Pork, Century Egg & Szechuan Vegetable Congee	113	143
C40. Sliced Tender Beef Congee	108	137
Desserts
D60. Herb Jelly w/ Tropical Fruits		108
D61. Fried Bread w/ Cream Dip (3 pcs.)		88
D62. Gabi Butchi (3 pcs.)		78
D63. Almond Jelly w/ Lychee		99
D64. Black & White Gulaman w/ Tropical Fruits		108
D65. Herb Jelly w/ Lychee		99
D66. Almond Jelly w/ Tropical Fruits		78
D67. Almond Jelly w/ Fresh mango		99
D68. Ice Cold Espresso (brewed at your table)		78
D69. Fresh Mango Tapioca		99
D70. Black & White Gulaman w/ Sago		89
Halo-halo		118
Drinks
DR1. Cold Fresh Chrysanthemum Juice		65
DR2. Fresh Fruit Shake		88
DR3. Softdrinks		55
DR4. Cold Soya Bean Milk		78
Nestea Iced Tea		63
DR6. Fresh Lemonade		83
DR7. Four Seasons		98
DR8. San Miguel Beer / SMB Light		73
DR9. Apple Juice		78
DR10. Honey Lemonade		83
DR11. Nestea Lemon Iced Tea		78
DR12. Lemon Pepsi		75
DR14. Bottled Water		50
DR16. Coke / Coke Light in 500 ml PET Bottle		72
DR17. Citrus Punch		78
Tea Treats (Available from 2:00pm–6:00pm only)
T1. Crispy Lechon Wrap		98
T2. BBQ Pork Sandwich (Fried or Steamed)		98
T3. Spicy XO Seafood Chami		173
T4. Cafe Chino (Milk Coffee)		88
T5. Nai Cha w/ Jelly		88
T6. Bubble Fresh Mango		93
T7. Hot Nai Cha		88

Chic-Boy

Chic-Boy is a quick service dine-in, take-out, and delivery restaurant that specializes in grilled chicken and pork lechon. Similar to Mang Inasal, it offers all-you-can-eat rice with its meals. It is a subsidiary of Pier One Bar & Grill Holdings Corporation and is open to franchise applications.

Chic-Boy Menu    as of May 2012

Chibog-Busog Meals (Rice all you can!)
CB-1 Chicken Inasal (Paa)	99
CB-2 Chicken Inasal (Petso)	99
CB-3 Pork Barbecue	99
CB-4 Inihaw na Liempo	99
CB-5 Cebu Lechon Manok	99
CB-6 Cebu Lechon Liempo	115
Cebu Lechon Manok
Whole	230
Half	125
Cebu Lechon Liempo
Liempo	185
Appetizers
Chicken Skin Chicharon	80
Tokwa't Baboy	80
Crispy Tenga	120
Crunchy Spicy Squidheads	120
Chicharon Bulaklak	130
Calamares Fritos	140
Chiquito Meals Served with rice and house soup
CM-1 Pork Barbecue	55
CM-2 Paa or Hita	55
CM-3 Breaded Chicken	69
CM-4 Breaded Porkchop	69
Soup
S-1 Sinigang na Baboy	59
S-2 Sinigang na Bangus	59
S-3 Sinigang na Salmon	69
S-4 Tinolang Ulo ng Salmon	55
S-5 Batchoy	59
Side Orders
SO-1 Inihaw na Talong	30
SO-2 Ginisang Kangkong sa Bawang	35
SO-3 Ensaladang Mangga	25
SO-4 Gising Gising	55
Merienda
M-1 Lumpiang Sariwa	50
M-2 Dinuguan at Puto	59
M-3 Palabok	49
M-4 Pancit Canton	49
Japanese
Chicken Teriyaki	99
Salmon Teriyaki	99
Tuna Sashimi (selected outlets only)	80
Salmon Sashimi	85
Magandang Umaga (Rice all you can!) Served with fried rice, atsara and egg
MU-1 Beef Tapa	99
MU-2 Longganisa	99
MU-3 Tocino	99
MU-4 Daing na Bangus	120
Sizzling Specials (Rice all you can!)
SS-1 Lechon Sisig	99
SS-2 Bangus Sisig	99
SS-3 Chicken Sisig	99
SS-4 Tuna Sisig	99
SS-5 Steak w/ Gravy	150
SS-6 Bangus Belly	120
Desserts
D-1 Saba in Syrup	30
D-2 Leche Flan	35
D-3 Turones Con Leche	40
Ice Cream by the Scooop	30
Halo-Halo Special	75
Extra
Plain Rice	10
Garlic Rice	15
Paa at Hita (leg quarter)	89
Paa (leg)	45
Hita (thigh)	45
Petso (breast w/ wing)	89
Breaded Porkchop	60
Breaded Chicken (thigh)	60
Pork Barbecue	45
Inihaw na Liempo	89
Lechon Sisig	85
Chicken Sisig	85
Tuna Sisig	85
Bangus Sisig	85
Drinks
Bottomless Iced Tea (for every meal ordered)	25
Bottled Water	20
Coke in can	30
Coke Light in can	30
Coke Zero in can	30
Sprite in can	30
Royal in can	30
Sarsi in can	30

Gerry's Grill

Gerry's Grill is a chain of grill restaurants serving Filipino cuisine. It's an exemplar of the wave of Filipino grill restaurants akin to tavern restaurants that opened in the late 90s and early 2000s catering mainly to adults with a menu of grilled Filipino appetizers (pulutan) and Filipino dishes along with beer and other alcoholic beverages.

Gerry's Grill in comparison to other Filipino grilling restaurants seems to have its act together better. It is generally cleaner with more organized and punctual service than its competitors. I cannot say I've had an unforgivable experience at Gerry's Grill unlike with other places. Still there's not really anything that makes it stand out. The food is good in spots, not so good in others, and the portion size could be more geenrous. It's a restaurant to have a good time with the gang and not be distracted by such trivialities as how good or bad the place is.

Gerry's Grill Menu    as of June 2012

Appetizers
Baked Scallops	245
Crunchy Squidheads	165
Lumpiang Shanghai	165
Garlic Adobo Shreds	205
Dinakdak	215
Chili Cheese Sticks	165
Tahong Ala Pobre	165
Coco Fish Fingers	175
Shrimp & Chips	305
Ginataang Kuhol	175
Chichabits	215
Green Mango w/ Bagoong	115
Green Mango Salad	135
Tuna Sashimi	205
Spicy Sashimi	225
Oriental Tuna Sashimi	215
Sizzling Tokwa Con Carne	175
Sizzling Balut with Tofu	185
Calamares	175
Chicken Skin	115
Chicken Lollipop	175
Tokwa't Baboy	165
Peanuts	85
Vegetables
Sizzling Kangkong	145
Bulanglang	175
Pinakbet	165
Kilawin Puso ng Saging	165
Chopsuey	185
Tinomok	175
Laing with Tinapa	165
Soups
Sinigang na Salmon Belly sa Miso	235
Nilagang Bulalo	295
Sinigang na Bangus Belly	225
Sinigang na Hipon	255
Sinigang na Baboy	235
Nido Soup	65
Molo	175
Kinilaw
Kilawin Pusit	195
Tanigue Kilaw	195
Sisig Kilaw	185
Tuna Kilaw	205
Sugba Kilaw	265
Char-Grilled
Sword Fish Steak	355
Sword Fish Belly	365
Sword Fish Ribs	255
Inihaw na Pusit	328
Inihaw na Pla Pla	215
Inihaw na Tuna Belly	265
Inihaw na Baby Pusit	285
Inihaw na Giant Pusit	145
Pinaputok na Cream Dory	275
Chicken Kebab	195
Inihaw na Manok	228
Bangus	245
Inihaw na Liempo	175
Pork Spareribs	235
Pork Barbecue (2 sticks)	135
Chicken
Gerry's Fried Chicken	228
Spicy Garlic Chicken	228
Sizzling Garlic Mushroom Chicken	245
Pork
Sizzling Sisig	189
Lechom Kawali	235
Crispy Pata	Regular: 445 Large: 575
Sizzling Binagoongang Baboy	185
Tinomok	175
Adobo Pork Ribs	255
Beef
Garlic Adobo Beef Ribs	255
Beef Kare Kare	295
Crispy Tadyang	275
Beef Kaldereta	235
Bef Casserole	265
Sizzling Beef Spareribs	285
Seafood
Sizzling Gambas	235
Sizzling Tilapia Ala Pobre	255
Sizzling Bangus Ala Pobre	255
Sizzling Pusit Ala Pobre	325
Sizzling Sword Fish	365
Sizzling Bangus Sisig	195
Sizzling Tuna Sisig	185
Crispy Pla Pla w/ Garlic	215
Rice
Plain Rice	32
Garlic Rice	38
Crab Rice	195
Bagoong Rice	135
Veggie Rice	155
Adobong Puso Rice	175
Seafood Rice	185
Tinapa Rice	155
Merienda
Lomi	135
Batchoy	125
Gerry's Clubhouse Sandwich (Good for 2)	195
Pancit Palabok	175
Pancit Canton	165
Crispy Pancit Canton	165
Pancit Bihon	155
Spaghetti	155
Kiddie Meals
Spaghetti with Fried Chicken	145
Spaghetti with Pork BBQ	145
Spaghetti with Lumpiang Shanghai	135
Dessert
Vanilla Leche Flan	75
Sansrival	115
Brownie Ala Mode	125
Ginataang Halo Halo	75
Buko Pandan	78
Leche Flan	48
Mais Con Hielo	95
Ice Cream	48
Ice Cream Sundae	65
Halo-Halo	105
Crispy Halo-Halo	185
Double Trio	145

Abe

Abe is a Filipino restaurant part of the LJC chain of restaurants founded by the late Larry J. Cruz and dedicated to his father Emilio Aguilar Cruz who was nicknamed Abe (ah-beh) a Kapampangan word for friend.

Abe Menu    as of May 2012

Small Dishes
Gambas al Ajillo	320
Sinuteng Baby Squid	175
Spicy Sisig Pampanga	195
Kinilaw na Tanigue	210
Lumpiang Ubod	135
Squid Tactics	245
Chicharon Bulaklak	295
Arobung Kamaru	250
Betute	290
Chicharones	240
Salads & Relishes
Paco Fern and Tomato Salad	155
Atsarang Papaya	95
Balo Balo	95
Green Mango & Bagoong Salad	105
Burong Mangga	105
Aligue ng Talangka	215
Hearty Soup Dishes
Sinigang na Boneless Bangus Fillet with Ripe Guava	399
Pesang Dalag	425
Suam of Fresh Native Corn	95
Mungo Bean Soup	95
Our Spanish Heritage
Calamares en su Tinta	250
Pastel de Lengua	350
Cocido	525
Abé's Morcon	320
Fresh Harvest
Gising Gising	240
Pinakbet Wen Manong	265
Bicol Express	265
Gule Magalang	240
Adobong Puso ng Saging	250
Abé's Specialties
Abé's Chicken Supreme	895
Mutton Adobo with Popped Garlic	410
Klassik Kare Kare	595
Artists' & Writers' Favorite Dishes
Biringhe	308
Nanay's Puchero	375
Lamb Adobo	410
Lumpiang Pica Pica	125
Crispy Tadyang "D' Original"	495
My Mother's Rellenong Mais	196
Grills, Stews, & Fries
Pork Lengua Asado	295
Humba	330
Lechon Cubano	425
The Day After	399
Knockout Knuckles	595
Binukadkad na Pla Pla	395
Pritong Baby Hito	270
Pork Binagoongan	265
Tidtad	225
Old Chinatown
Shrimp Halabos	285
Crispy Shrimp Binondo	195
Black Pata	650
Bamboo Rice	250
More Abé Favorites
Sugpo sa Gata	595
Sugpo sa Aligue ng Talangka	595
Pork Sinigang in Sampaloc	395
Crispy Pork Adobo ni Lola Ising	395
Panghimagas
Maja Blanca	90
Ube Jalca with Macapuno	150
Leche Flan	75
Claude's Dream	130
Coupe Adriatico	185
Mango Jubilee	150
Mango Crepes	168
Sans Rival	175
Halo Halo	125
Choco Eh! Fondue with Fried Suman	220
Turon with Nangka at Ube	80
Suman sa Lihiya with Latik	129
Fresh Fruit Platter	195
Sikreto ni Maria	165
Abé's Country Treats
Baby Squid Rice	325
Pulot-Pukyutang Babi	425
Laing with Tinapa	255
Ginisang Mustasa	245

Kare-Kare

Kare-Kare is a stew of meat and vegetables in a peanut-based sauce. Traditionally the meat used is beef, tripe, and oxtail although versions using seafood have become popular relatively recently. Annatto seeds (atsuete) are often used to color the sauce. The dish is often served with shrimp paste (bagoong) the saltiness of which gives sharp contrast to the peanut sauce. There are various theories as to the origins of the stew or whether or not it is closely related to curry, but there is speculation of some Indian influence whether due to trade routes or settlement during the time of the British Occupation of Manila during the Seven Years' War in the 18th century.