Hammy's Hangout: SM Megamall's Castle

After leaving the LEGO booth I noticed that there is a large back draft of SM Megamall's activity center (former skating rink). Upon checking the section on the balcony, I saw a Castle back draft set up like a stage.

Upon a closer look, it looks like the castle from Disney's movie opening sequence. This back draft is perfect spot for picture taking with the family this holiday season.

This is another perfect way of spending your holiday with your loved ones. The castle is located in the activity center of SM Megamall.

Hammy's Hangout: LEGO City Fire Academy

The LEGO booth entitled LEGO City Fire Academy features Fireman theme on all the sets displayed on glass casings. The 4 glass casings contains different sets of emergency situation where fireman and rescue teams are needed like sea and air rescue, burning buildings, and construction safety settings.

The booth also contains an activity area wherein children can enjoy two things. They can either play by creating their own LEGO toy or join the construction of a giant fire truck by creating larger version of LEGO blocks.

The tray containing white blocks is tempting me.

So I got a base platform with a pattern on it.

It's just like making a larger version of the blocks.

It is 6 times larger to be exact since we were asked to construct 6 layers of block for the pattern.

I was just able to create three blocks since I'll be going somewhere else.

Finished blocks are stacked according to color.

This is the Firetruck scale model.

This is the larger version of the Firetruck.

The blocks that I have constructed earlier will be included in the truck later.

Children and children at heart who played LEGO in their younger years like me will surely enjoy this activity area when you visit SM Megamall. LEGO City Exhibit is located on 3rd Level above the activity area (formerly ice skating rink) and will be there until January 4, 2010.

Hammy's Hangout: Araneta Center

I was going to watch a movie in Gateway but my screening time will start within 2 hours. To kill some time, I decided to walk around Araneta Center to see if there are other attraction the place has to offer since Christmas season is already here.

Good thing I have Dietrich with me with the 35mm prime lens I have just acquired recently. I think this is the best time to check how my new lens will work with night shots.

This is the Gateway's Christmas Tree located in the 2nd level of the mall.

This Christmas tree is located in the corner of Gen. Roxas and Gen. Araneta inside Araneta Center.

What's amazing with this Christmas Tree is the light's blink at the beat of the background music.

You can also check the GIF image I have created from the pictures I have taken.

GIF Image courtesy of WEGIF.

Enjoy watching the video I have taken with my camera phone.

If you wanted to enjoy your Christmas celebration make sure to visit this wonderful Christmas Tree at the Araneta Center.

Hammy's Hangout: Banchetto Experience

I have been hearing this Banchetto thing for quite some time and it really aroused my curiosity. My office mates told me that this was like a food fair in Ortigas center that starts around Friday midnight until Saturday noon.

We have been planning to check the place one Friday night since my shift ends at 12 AM. I think 2 or 3 Fridays had passed due to either the rain or everybody were busy to go. Finally, after several weeks of planning to go there, we were able to see what really this Banchetto is all about. I was not able to bring Dietrich the first time and this was taken 2 weeks after our first visit.

Upon arriving at the corner of Garnet and Emerald Road we finally see the clusters of food kiosk occupying the half section of Emerald Road (F. Ortigas Jr. Road). As I have seen it, Banchetto was a night food market with not less than 50 booths offering different kind of foods from grilled to full meals and other delicacies.

Based on Ortigas Center Association's booth, the organizer, Banchetto is the first weekly overnight "Street Food Fiesta" which happens every Friday midnight at Emerald Road and at Forum Robinsons every Wednesday and Thursday night.

So we decided to look for the famous Monster Burger that was usually the talk of the people who have been there. The Monster Burger kiosk was jam-packed with too many people lining up for their half-pound or quarter-pound burger patties with your choice of it being a sandwich or a rice meal. Let me just show you how my Banchetto experience went through.

The Monster Burger kiosk.

This is a burger's paradise.

Check out the price.

Lumpiang Shanghai, Lechon Kawali and other fried goodies.

Food fiesta like this won't be complete without the Silog meals.

You may avoid too much of this if you love your heart.

I think he won't last until morning.

Sushi to go.

This is for people who likes Mongolian meals.

Pizza Mia for those who likes Italian.

I'm not sure if these are Pretzels.

I wonder how Takoyaki taste like.

I'm not sure what this is. Feel free to hit the comments if you know.

Fresh fruit juice to quench you thirst while looking for you favorite food.

Maybe its not too late for dessert.

Christmas or not, who would not resist the smell of Bibingka being cooked.

If you want to check on how to join the Banchetto food fiesta, you may check the organizer's Multiply page here or you may visit them personally at the Banchetto kiosk at the site.