My aspirations are quite simple, really, since someone already beat me to landing on the moon and designing the ipod. And even inventing milk tea, unbelievable! All I want to do are write, shop, dine and enjoy life! Oh, and visit Italy!

So I guess the “visit Italy” part may be on the long-term scale, but hey, I’m still going for it. How can we not resist Italy, the bastion of world history, culture and food? I grew up eating pizza and pasta, knowing the difference between penne and ravioli and upholding the discrimination between al dente and just plain soggy. There is no way I can proceed with life without having eaten an authentic gourmet pizza straight from the ovens of Italy—that’s my gastronomic wish and lifetime quest.

Unknown to me, this wish would be granted rather pronto, without having to leave our tropical country or even pack an overnight bag. Right under this famous hut that is known for pan pizzas, there they served thin crust, gourmet pizza otherwise known as the Tuscani. That’s Tuscani with an “I” not the “Y” because we’re not talking about Italy, but rather Pizza Hut’s line of gourmet pizza right here in the Philippines.

 

Who needs to travel abroad when I can get a slice of gourmet goodness a few minutes from home or from dialing 911-1111? With five grandioso flavors to choose from—Supremo, All Meat, Roast Beef, 2 Cheese Bacon and Spinach and BBQ Chicken—my heart immediately went “Ti amo!” to the pollo (chicken).

The Tuscani BBQ Chicken was graciously smothered with barbecue sauce, while the toppings: cheese, onions, green pepper and chunks of chicken—were generously spread. It was certainly deliziossisima (delicious to the highest level), and I never even knew how to speak Italian before this gastronomic escapade. The barbecue sauce was pleasantly sweet and highly savory on account of the thin crust, and no flavor was left ignored. The swirling images of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the farmlands of Tuscany and freshly picked olives and grapes immediately came to mind, and I knew this was as close to Italy as I could get, as I savored every chewing moment.

For sure, the Tuscani pizza is un dono del cielo (a gift from the Heavens). I may not end up as Ms. Earth or the Marathoner of the Year, but at least I got a taste of the divine. I got what I wanted, my Italian Escapade, all thanks to the Tuscani pizza. Grazie, Tuscani! The BBQ Chicken high was rather intoxicating, I ended up creating a video of this pollo-rific experience. Check out the video!

Como secondo prendo Araneta Center GCs! (For the second course, I’ll have Araneta Center GCs!)

Si, you heard me right! The Tuscani already granted me the taste of Italy. Next stop on my list are to write (Done, with my online blog), shop, dine and enjoy life!

 

I find it fortunata (lucky) that the rest of my aspirations are easily granted by winning the gift certificates from Araneta Center. With those GCs, I can treat my family and loved ones to everything they want and need, especially this coming Christmas. Ours is just a family of three but with so many little cousins whom I adore so much, they deserve not only a taste of Italy but also a taste of the la dolce vita (the sweet life) courtesy of the Araneta Center GCs. There’s Gateway for shopping and dining—the same passion my family shares with me. Entertainment is just around the corner with the Araneta Coliseum concerts and games lined up that would surely please my brothers. I can already imagine a year filled up with bonding, endless activities and fascinating adventures that I can share with my family at the Araneta Center. Winning those GCs would certainly make Christmas extra special and meaningful to my family and relatives, and life would be so bellissisima! Beautiful! With that, my own version of the Pinoy Dream will surely become a reality! No titles or medals needed, just the smile on the faces of the people I love.

Oh Tuscani, resta sempre con me! (Stay with me always!) If I win those GCs, I’m so sure, nothing will ever tear us apart. Mangiamo! (Let’s eat!)

 Salute!

 Jenina Gonzales (aka Lazy Black Cat)

Blog post: http://lazyblackcat.wordpress.com/2011/12/05/pizza-hut-goes-thin-with-the-tuscani/