A Fresh Feast: Exploring the Flavorful Choices at SaladStop!

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a world where fast food dominates, finding a place that serves fresh, nutritious, and delicious meals can be a challenge. Enter SaladStop!, a haven for health-conscious foodies craving vibrant flavors and wholesome ingredients. Whether you're a salad lover, a wrap enthusiast, or someone seeking protein-packed bowls, SaladStop! has something to satisfy every palate.

Let’s dive into their diverse menu offerings, highlighting their signature salads, wraps, warm protein bowls, smoothies, and the exciting “Create Your Own” option.

Signature Salads & Wraps: A Symphony of Freshness

If you love a well-balanced combination of greens, proteins, and flavorful dressings, the signature salads and wraps are a must-try. Each salad is thoughtfully crafted, ensuring a blend of textures and tastes that excite the senses. Here are some standout options:

1. Hail Caesar (₱310)

A classic take on the beloved Caesar salad, featuring romaine lettuce, grilled chicken, eggs, parmesan, croutons, bacon bits, and Caesar dressing. Perfect for those who appreciate timeless flavors.

2. Oh Crab Lah! (₱320)

A seafood lover’s delight with romaine, crab sticks, glass noodles, cherry tomatoes, red onion, sesame seeds, and Singaporean chili crab dressing. This dish is a fusion of Singaporean zest and healthy indulgence.

3. Go Geisha (₱320)

Taking inspiration from Japanese cuisine, this vibrant bowl includes red cabbage, edamame, carrots, tofu, soba noodles, sesame seeds, and miso dressing. A refreshing, plant-based treat!

4. Man-Go Wild! (₱320)

For a tropical twist, this salad bursts with mango, grapes, red onions, shredded carrots, walnuts, and honey balsamic dressing. A refreshing option packed with sweet and savory notes.

5. Cobb (₱405)

A protein-rich powerhouse with avocado, eggs, grilled chicken, tomatoes, and blue cheese dressing. It’s both satisfying and nutritious.

6. Fu-Silly Me! (₱405)

A hearty option that mixes grilled chicken, fusilli pasta, feta cheese, olives, and tangy vinaigrette. A perfect fusion of indulgence and nourishment.

7. Howdy! (₱405)

For those who love smoky flavors, this salad features barbecue chicken, corn, cherry tomatoes, and honey lime dressing. A western-inspired delight.

8. Tuna San (₱405)

A seafood-packed creation with seared tuna, cucumbers, edamame, cherry tomatoes, and Japanese sesame dressing. Ideal for sushi lovers!

9. Omega 3 Baby! (₱450)

A salmon-rich meal filled with avocado, cucumbers, walnuts, and honey balsamic dressing. A true superfood bowl!

Warm Protein Bowls: Hearty and Wholesome

For those seeking something more filling, the warm protein bowls are a fantastic option. These bowls are not just about fresh ingredients—they bring warmth and comfort to your healthy eating journey.

1. Yeobo Yeobo (₱405)

A Korean-inspired bowl with grilled chicken, kimchi, quinoa, and sesame soy dressing. A spicy and savory explosion of flavors!

2. Habibi (₱405)

Middle Eastern flavors come alive with spiced chicken, chickpeas, quinoa, hummus, and lemon yogurt dressing. A Mediterranean masterpiece.

3. Samyo Sunrise (₱405)

This bowl combines teriyaki chicken, soba noodles, shredded cabbage, sesame seeds, and sweet miso dressing. Perfect for a balanced, satisfying meal.

4. Taco Loco (₱405)

Mexican flavors take the spotlight with grilled chicken, kidney beans, tortilla chips, cheddar cheese, and salsa dressing. A must-try for spice lovers!

All-Natural Smoothies: A Guilt-Free Treat

For a refreshing boost, SaladStop! offers all-natural smoothies at ₱180 each. These are packed with superfoods and blended to perfection.

Berry Grape-Ful – A mix of grapes, banana, blueberry, strawberry, honey, chia seeds, and coconut water.

Green Glow – A green powerhouse with banana, spinach, mango, Greek yogurt, honey, chia seeds, and coconut water.

Pink Panther – A sweet and creamy blend of banana, strawberry, Greek yogurt, honey, chia seeds, and coconut water.

Each smoothie is loaded with antioxidants, fiber, and natural sweetness—ideal for an energy boost or post-workout recovery.

Create Your Own: Personalize Your Healthy Meal (₱360)

For those who love customization, SaladStop! allows you to create your own salad or wrap. Here’s how it works:

Pick a Base – Choose up to two fresh greens (Premium greens available for an additional ₱100).

Choose a Wrap – Select between Regular or Whole Wheat.

Toppings – Get 8 regular toppings to add flavor and texture.

Dressings – Choose one to two dressings for the perfect finish.

This is a fantastic way to mix and match ingredients to suit your taste, dietary needs, and cravings!

Why Choose SaladStop!?

SaladStop! isn’t just about eating healthy—it’s about enjoying food that nourishes the body and delights the taste buds. Here’s why it stands out:

Fresh Ingredients – Every dish is packed with fresh, high-quality produce and proteins.

Global Flavors – From Japanese to Mexican, SaladStop! brings the world to your plate.

Customization – You have the power to create your perfect meal.

Nutrient-Packed – Meals are designed to provide balanced nutrition without compromising taste.

Whether you’re a health enthusiast or just starting your clean-eating journey, SaladStop! makes nutritious meals fun, flavorful, and satisfying.

Next time you’re craving a delicious, guilt-free meal, stop by SaladStop! and treat yourself to fresh flavors that fuel your day.

Philippine Book Festival 2025: A Grand Celebration of Filipino Stories and Culture

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Ultimate Fiesta for Book Lovers

The Philippine Book Festival (PBF) 2025 has officially opened its doors at the Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall, promising a four-day literary extravaganza like never before. As the country’s premier all-Filipino book festival, PBF 2025 aims to celebrate and promote Filipino-authored books, ensuring that local literature continues to thrive and inspire.

In true fiesta spirit, this year’s festival has been designed to reflect the vibrancy and diversity of Philippine culture, with immersive installations, engaging activities, and a wealth of books that highlight the nation’s rich literary heritage.

A Grand Opening with Literary Icons

The opening ceremony, aptly named "Fiesta Simula," set the tone for the festivities with dramatic readings, musical performances, and messages from key figures in the publishing, education, and cultural sectors. Among the distinguished guests were National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario and National Artist for Film & Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee, both of whom emphasized the importance of fostering a reading culture among Filipinos.

Charisse Aquino-Tugade, Executive Director of the National Book Development Board (NBDB), expressed her enthusiasm for this year’s edition, highlighting the festival’s mission to make Filipino books more accessible while also celebrating the country’s cultural identity.

What’s New at PBF 2025?

This year’s festival goes beyond book sales and signings—it’s a full-fledged cultural experience that immerses visitors in the heart of Philippine literature and traditions.

1. Fiesta-Inspired Design and Interactive Spaces

PBF 2025 has introduced visually stunning installations that pay tribute to the Philippines’ most beloved festivals. One of the standout attractions is the "Pakyáwan Plaza," a space inspired by the Pahiyas Festival that features a bahay kubo installation, a live mural, and traditional Filipino decorations.

2. Exclusive Book Discounts and More Events

Attendees can enjoy huge discounts on books, making it easier to build personal libraries filled with Filipino-authored works. The festival also features art workshops, storytelling sessions, and meet-and-greet opportunities with renowned Filipino authors and illustrators, including children's book artists Juno Abreu, Pepot Atienza, Danielle Florendo, and Paul Eric Roca.

3. A Nationwide Effort to Strengthen Filipino Literacy

A key highlight of the festival is the participation of over 650 teachers from the Department of Education (DepEd). As part of NBDB’s efforts to bridge the gap in book accessibility, the government has facilitated the purchase of P2.4 billion worth of books that will soon find their way into schools and libraries nationwide.

The Philippine Book Festival: More Than Just a Fair

The Philippine Book Festival is unlike any other literary event in the country. It’s not just about celebrating books—it’s about ensuring that quality Filipino-authored literature reaches every corner of the archipelago. Since its inception in 2023, the festival has led to the institutional sale of hundreds of millions’ worth of local books, ensuring that Filipino students from Batanes to Jolo have access to inspiring and educational materials.

Aquino-Tugade emphasized that this year’s festival goes beyond numbers.

“We’re ensuring that the books reaching students actually match their needs and mirror their realities. We’ve been training DepEd teachers on how to approach book selection in a way that is meaningful, ensuring that students can easily access and appreciate stories that resonate with their own experiences.”

She also reiterated that the PBF is a call to action—a reminder that it’s never too late to change the reading culture in the Philippines and break misconceptions about literacy, publishing, and readership.

A Must-Visit Event for Every Filipino Book Lover

The Philippine Book Festival 2025 runs from March 13 to March 16, and entrance is free. Whether you’re a die-hard bibliophile, a budding writer, a student looking for inspiration, or simply someone who loves stories, PBF 2025 is the perfect place to celebrate Filipino literature and culture.

About the National Book Development Board

The National Book Development Board (NBDB) is the official book authority of the Philippines, committed to developing the local publishing industry and promoting the vibrant culture of Filipino authorship and reading. Follow NBDB’s social media pages (@nbdbphilippines) for updates.

Join the celebration! The future of Philippine literature is here.

Cover photo: Tarantadong Kalbo aka Kevin Eric Raymundo at his booth at the Philippine Book Festival 2025

PARE Calls for Electric Cooperatives to Focus on Service, Not Politics

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

With the 2025 Midterm Elections fast approaching, concerns are mounting over the involvement of electric cooperatives in political endorsements. The advocacy group Partners for Affordable and Reliable Energy (PARE) has issued a strong statement urging electric cooperatives and their board of directors to remain politically neutral and focus on their core duty: delivering affordable and reliable electricity to consumers.

Electric Cooperatives and Political Endorsements

PARE has observed that some electric cooperatives have been posting content that seemingly promotes certain candidates or party lists. Additionally, political figures’ presence at general assemblies and member-consumer-owners (MCO) gatherings has raised alarms. These events, according to PARE, should strictly be venues for discussing power rates and energy-related concerns—not platforms for political campaigns.

"When leaders of electric cooperatives use their influence for political endorsements, it diverts their attention from pressing energy concerns," PARE stated. "Consumers are left with higher rates, unreliable service, and mismanaged resources."

The Call for Neutrality and Consumer-Centric Governance

PARE emphasizes that electric cooperatives exist to serve the public, not politicians. Their primary responsibility is ensuring least-cost power and improving service quality, rather than engaging in electoral politics. The advocacy group warns that failure to maintain neutrality could result in poor energy management, increased electricity rates, and diminished public trust in these cooperatives.

To address these issues, PARE calls on electric cooperative officials to:

Cease any form of political endorsements—direct or indirect

Ensure transparency in service operations

Refocus on improving energy infrastructure and affordability

Conduct assemblies purely for energy-related discussions

PARE’s Chief Advocate Officer, Nic Satur Jr., reinforced the group’s stance, stressing that EC officials must “uphold neutrality and focus on improving energy services, not politics.”

The Bigger Picture: Ensuring Reliable and Affordable Energy

Electric cooperatives play a vital role in ensuring energy security and accessibility, especially in rural areas. However, their effectiveness is undermined when political agendas interfere with decision-making and operations. With the upcoming elections, it is crucial for these cooperatives to remain committed to their mandate—serving the energy needs of Filipinos without political bias.

As watchdog groups like PARE continue to advocate for transparency and accountability, the public is encouraged to stay vigilant and demand consumer-centered leadership from their electric cooperatives.