Caterer

Supplier:  Better Pan Catering Services

Contact Details: www.betterpancatering.com, (+632) 6320995

Category: Food and Drinks

Budget Percentage: 38.68%

Overall Rating:9.0

We actually got their services through the help of a good friend and coordinator, Kelly.  She was the one who brought up the name of the company, at the time we had started having discussions about where to hold our reception party.  I believe she was/is, in one way or another, allied with the management.  It was just amazing the favors she could get them to do for her and/or us.  

We had been privileged to have availed of their “special-hassle-free” wedding package.  A great deal, indeed.  It likewise meant lesser responsibilities for us.  At least, we were able to spare ourselves some time to relax without having to be troubled about the entire prep scheme. 

Package Rate – our initial booking with them was for 150 people.  Hubby and I deduced that we won’t even reach over 130 guests.  Later on, as we were getting closer to making the second payment, we had come to a decision.  We elevated our number of guests to 200, so as to accommodate additional attendants and the suppliers.  The price per plate had gone up to Php1000, which by simple math meant, 200K.  I had to make some trivial objection, the first time, for we felt it was a bit too much.  Kelly’s convincing powers might have worked efficiently again, I presumed.  The next day, she was pleased to inform us that they’ve generously taken 10K off the total.  Two thumbs up for that!

Mode of Payment – 20K was all they asked us to shell out, as initial payment.  So, as early as September of last year, even if we haven’t had food tasting yet, we booked them already.  I know it sounds a bit ridiculous, but there were not that many other options accessible for us.  Besides, the words of affirmation from Kelly were proof enough to set aside our uncertainties; and the rest had all remained bygones.  Our last and final payment was meant to be settled a month before the event.  However, we ended up clearing our balance just the week prior (the wedding).  Despite the delay, they remained very considerate; never did they make any follow up email or SMS on the subject, which was good.  We made sure though that Kelly knew everything in between.

Communication – if there was one aspect about our transaction with Betterpan which I can consider as inadequate all throughout, it would be the part where there should have been direct dialogue between us and them.  As I’ve said earlier, they had been referred to us by our coordinator, long before we actually thought of hiring one.  So, from the time we had started considering the proposal, up to the last minute demands/requests on the day itself, Kelly competently performed her job as intermediary; everything that we wanted to raise about, whether it was an urgent matter or not, had to be conveyed first to her.  She then had to solely discuss whatever it was to the management, before she could significantly give us a response.  And the answers had always been positive, apt and prompt.  I believe though that as the client, it would have been proper if we had been introduced formally first to the owner or someone in-charge of the operation before being tossed to another.  I have no idea if there was some sort of internal agreement between them and Kelly, for that matter, and I didn’t want to ask either.   I just realized that maybe I was a bit too complacent about the whole thing that I seemed to have taken this for granted.

Black and white – most of our preliminary conversations, if not all of them, were documented on emails.  Again, these were only between me and Kelly.  I remembered she had to revise the package doc a couple of times due to some typo errors.  I wouldn’t go any further into the details, for I don’t want to create a plot of some sort, regarding this.  What I just want to point out here is the fact that, quite a few pertinent papers, relating to our business deal with Betterpan have not been handed over to us, until now.  The whole time we were having meetings before the event, regularly discussing stuff to be accomplished; never had she mentioned anything about those.  She did send one file, as far as I can recall, the contract from Acropolis Clubhouse, but nothing else other than that.  

Amenities – the “special-hassle-free” package was perfectly jam-packed with cool perks.  Here’s the list of the enclosure.  I will post corresponding review on each entry to further assess each supplier.

* own choice of menu, (food tasting)

* gazebo, floral centerpieces arrangement, table settings, tiffany chairs, (final detailing)

* bridal car

* signature frame

* emcee and sound system

* bedroom suite

* mobile coffee bar

* chocolate fountain

* photo booth

* reception venue

So, why am I giving them a rating of 9.0 and not 10.0?

First of all, I'd like to clarify that none of my personal issues, which I've noted above, had anything to do with this rating. I've tried, as possibly as I could, to be reasonable here and did not let my subjective way of thinking get into the way.  It wouldn't be fair for Betterpan's name to be involved in any way into something beyond their control.  

Honestly, I could have given them a perfect 10 rating if only I were to rate how they carried out on the day itself, which to me was just remarkable.  But this isn't limited to that alone , since the service they had provided us was more like a collection of other services.  So, whatever lapses that might have been incurred by one of them, would in one way or the other affect the totality.  

Kindly refer to my succeeding posts for a more elaborate evaluation on each item in the amenities section. 

Suppliers Evaluation and Review

Supplier rating, according to Wikipedia, is basically a term used in the business industry to describe the process of measuring an organization's capabilities and performance.  Over the years, this system has been merged into the world of weddings.  

Successful wedding is collaboration with various chosen suppliers.  Without them around, I don’t think weddings, which have now become a way to showcase creativity, art, style and fashion, will continue to progress.  They don’t just carry out their services because we pay for them, they actually make our weddings such a dream-come-true, and that we would still want to look back at it, decades after decades.

Key points to better assess our suppliers.  

Supplier  – Company/Person name
Contact Details -- mobile number, website and email address
Category – whether they fall on Fashion & Beauty, Favors & Gifts, and so on.

Budget Percentage – cost/price over total funds incurred

Overall Rating – scale from 1 to 10 (10 being the highest),  includes good and bad criticisms, in depth review on service, quality and schedule adherence.

Looking Back 40 Days Since Our Wedding

A month had sped by in a blur, leaving me still clinging to all the wonderful memories of that one special day. As I look back at every photo, both tagged and posted on my Facebook wall, my heart would always skip a beat with bliss, and the whole thing about it sparks through my recollection very vividly once again.

We may have had stumbled upon inevitable circumstance along the way, where we “almost” had to make the painful decision whether to pursue the wedding or not. Earlier this year when Inay, my mother-in-law, was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic adenocarcinoma. It was devastating for everyone in the family. What could be more painful than being miles and miles away from someone you care about? Our only hope and deliverance were God’s healing hands. She needed to undergo seven chemotheraphy cycles (the 6th session was done a week before the wedding) which, as an after effect, caused her to go bald. After all the medications that she had to go through, she bravely survived miraculously and looked as healthy as before. The doctors were very pleased to see the improvements with her health condition. And on the day of the wedding, she looked amazingly in shape, in our theme-coloured dress wearing a wig we bought for her. Indeed, God moves in mysterious ways.

Wedding is a wonderful moment to share with family. As the youngest in the family and only daughter to be married in church, I wanted it to be memorable. There was a twinge of pain I couldn’t contain, for I knew, my family will never be whole again. My brother was killed in a tragic shootout eight years ago, that until now, the case still remains unsolved. Apay, that’s how I call my father, passed away in 2004, due to a heart ailment. The pain of missing them breaks my heart into pieces.  And while I was walking down the aisle,  part of me silently cries in solitude.  I did try as much as I could to hold back my tears, but didn’t quite succeed.

Everyone knows how excessively demanding wedding planning and preparation could get, even more challenging for an overseas couple like us. We had gone through a lot of brainstorming, painstaking discussions and, tried as we might not to, petty arguments that had altogether helped us, in one way or the other.

Thanks to the technological advances that we all now enjoy, the answers to my queries were just a Google away.  To my W@W community, despite the fact that I hardly ever posted any significant topic to contribute to the group, still, the return of ideas and concepts were boundless.  My sincerest gratefulness goes out to the people who have generously extended their helping hands all throughout - members of our family, friends and colleagues. I don’t think our wedding would have happened the way we planned it to be, if it wasn't for their great help. 

Today... tomorrow... and all the days of my life, I will never ever forget that once-in-a-lifetime experience of being a bride -- the fun and excitement, stress, sleepless nights.  It was all worth giving credit to. 

Authentic Indian Dinner

Anekh and I were invited for a special dinner over at my Indian co-worker's house.  A few days before that, he made me a chicken curry and special fried rice.  I felt so guilty that my scarce knowledge of the Indian cuisine had given me a misleading notion, that all curry-based Indian dishes taste unpleasant, because they are heavily spiced and I just can't stand the smell of too much onion in them.  But the minute I tasted the chicken curry he made, my first impression had faded away instantly.  Even Anekh had to agree that it was really good, not too strong and not too hot, just perfect.  The fried rice, on the other hand, although prepared quite differently from our version, was also appetizing.  I loved the cashew nuts, beanettes and sultanas, all mixed together in a reddish yellow rice.

Last night, we missed out usual dining at home to give way for the dinner invitation.  I made some pork adobo, to bring over for them to at least have a taste of Filipino dish, although I wasn't sure they will like it.  I know I can cook, but most of the time my taste buds don't seem quite cooperative.  I oftentimes get unpalatable comments.  So, to myself from 

When got to their place, the rich aroma had filled the entire room making my stomach grumble.  The conventional fire place added to their warm welcoming.  Another Filipina was there, Maria, also working at the hospital and happens to be a sister of Anekh's co-worker at Fletcher.

Santa, that's how everyone calls him at work, had been a good friend of mine since he started working at Dome kitchen.  We instantly got along well.  He can speak a few Tagalog lines such as, "Kumusta", "Magandang Umaga", "Kita nalang tayo bukas" and shockingly even the "P.I." words.  He used to work in a restaurant in United Kingdom before with a bunch of Filipinos, where he must have learned those.  Unlike my Aussie co-workers who had given me a new name, "Shezza", he, on the other hand, calls me "Miss Tapya".  Apparently, he doesn't know where the name had originated and everyone at work keeps asking why he's calling me such.  Her wife, Lisha, works at the Albany hospital as a nurse.  I believe she used to work  in UK before migrating to Australia.  They have a 3-yr old son, who is very cute and adorable.  He doesn't speak English though but he is so lovable.

The dinner was a feast of authentic Indian foods.  The appetizer they served to us really caught my attention.  They call it fried "Papadums",  thin, crisp crackers or flat bread.  Of course there was the chicken curry which has started to become my personal favorite.  Another dish they called "Beef Fried" looked similar to adobo, only tasted so much different, more on onion, spices and chili hot, I mean really hot.  Fried rice had never been so good with cashew nuts and raisins.  I might actually try making it at home.  

Dinner was even more filling with casual conversation about work, culture and life in Albany.  It felt a lot better to have made new friendships with people who have genuine hearts and intentions. 

Sunday Night Dinner

Went to a dinner party last night over at Kumare's (Geraldine) place, together with members of our household and some Filipino friends. 

That was actually the second dinner party that she had hosted in the last couple of weeks.  The first one, she said was intended for Anekh and I, as her thoughtful way of wishing us a happy wedding.  I had not been able to put up the photos of that event here, but, I did compile them in an album on my Facebook account.

Here are some of the photos taken  last night.  

L-R: Tia Pusing, Mhine, Geraldine, Winnie, Vivian, Kuya Lito

Singing along is what we love doing most

Care for an apple-eating contest?

An experience with Mini Cooper Convertible

I still can't get enough of the fun and experience I had earlier with the Mini Cooper convertible. I am an avid fan of cars, the ones I don't quite often see on the roads on a day-to-day basis, one reason why I opted to have a Jaguar Mark V 1947 model as my bridal car.  

Lulette, our friend here and previous landlady, recently bought this totally awesome baby, which she now officially calls "Gwapa".  Been asking her to come by since we got back in Albany, purposely, for me to take some shots.  Finally the long wait was over.  Almost dropped my jaw at the first sight.  When the roof was being retracted and folded away, I couldn't afford to blink for a second.  I had only seen that on movies.  

Galaxy S, future beyond

Recently got myself a post-paid plan under Virgin Mobile - a Samsung Galaxy S.  I actually wanted an iPhone 4 but due to its runway success over the last couple of months since its release, most of the shops have currently run out of them.  I was advised that it might take a few months or so for the new stocks to come.  Being an impulsive-compulsive buyer as I am, I can't afford to wait that long.  It's now or never.  

Galaxy S is likewise powered by Android.  Most of the high-end android phones are similar to each other in terms of hardware.  This one even looks like an iPhone.  I guess that's an understatement.  I have yet to discover much of its features in the coming days.  

Briefly, the build quality of the phone is pretty cool.  It has a 4-inch Super Amoled screen and weighs an amazing 119 grams.  It is extremely light and very handy.  Certainly nothing to worry about running out of free space because it comes with 16GB internal memory.  Texting has never been easier with the new Swype typing method.  Simply swipe finger over the letters and let go when the word is done.  Samsung has also pre-loaded the phone with quite a few applications, most of these can be downloaded directly from Android market or Samsung Apps store.

This phone truly exceeded my expectation, far beyond my imagination.  I look forward to new and exciting ways to use this much better.

Halo-halo with 2 scoops of ice cream please...

Don't you just miss this mouth-watering indulgence? 

I must admit, I've been insanely craving for this especially on scorching summer days back in Albany.  Even the best selling smoothie from Wendys or the most expensive espreski from Dome will never taste this good.

On our first trip to SM F'view, we didn't let the moment pass without having a visit to Chowking for a scrumptious merienda feast of siomai, king's congee, siopai and of course, halo-halo topped with 2 scoops of ice cream. 

Changi Airport once more

How could I forget Changi Airport?  Certainly not.  It  will always remind me of the thrill and excitement of my first time to fly to Australia.  Back in November of 2008, I was traveling with Winnie then and everything about the entire journey seemed new and daunting to both of us.  It wasn't my first time to board an aircraft and go overseas but the unrelaxed feeling was a bit unlikely .  It only passed off when we had our stopover at the  massive airport.  We  would have wanted to see places and shops around but we didn't have much time to,  since we only had 3 hours to spend.

But this time around, would 14 hours be enough to explore this huge airport?  I don't think so... I still wanna come back for more

This is my second time on this very same spot.

It does look like a huge shopping mall

I so love these power foot massager!

Greens at the airport

Isn't it a good morning after a good and sound sleep

He was starting to get tired of taking photos of me..

Life as a tale

Beautifully landscaped koi pond

Laksa

Our Misadventures at Perth Airport

This has been a long overdue task.  I haven't been able to visit this site for ages, in fact, I nearly forgot owning one.

Our recently concluded wedding have taken most of my time that until now, I still haven't finished uploading photos for our families to see.

Perhaps most people who are connected with me on Facebook have read about this experience of us during our much-anticipated journey back home.  The title best explains how it went.  I'm just gonna give some highlights here so as to begin my other posts to come soon.

On our way to Perth, a 6-hour travel by land via Transwa coach. We left Albany at 3PM on Sunday the 6th of June.

At Perth International Airport.  This was taken around 10PM.  We had to stay overnight at the airport for scheduled flight was in the morning.

This was my cabin bag which also served as my pillow.  I had to sleep on the bench, covered my face with a cardigan.

That gloomy morning, Monday 7th of June after being denied boarding.  Unfortunately, AirAsia did not allow us to go due to Anekh's passport validity.  We were left with one best option - to get a new one-way ticket to Manila with Singapore Airlines.  That way he'd be allowed to travel.

After sobbing over our denied boarding, I somehow managed to lighten up and just enjoyed our stay at the airport. 

Breakfast at 8AM while waiting for ticketing office to open.

The clock says 12:40PM, we had been at the airport for over 12hours already.  Our new flight schedule was 4:45PM

Around 4PM while waiting for the gate to open

Finally on board.  It felt so good after all