The Little Brown Book
This is the absolutely THE MUST HAVE 2008 AGENDA/BOOK for foodies based in Manila. A MUST HAVE. Published by the parents association of a non-profit private international school which we have been helping for many years, all proceeds go towards funding student scholarships (based on merit and financial need), and other capital requirements of the school. Besides a standard agenda section, the HIDDEN TREASURE TROVE is a directory of food sources in Metro Manila from savory to sweet, with hundreds of listings. It is everyone’s dream list, a compilation of the “secret entries” in dozens of “black books” of Manila’s ladies and men who “order in” from their favorite purveyors, home bakers and suppliers. I cannot overemphasize how convenient and practical this food directory is. I would buy this agenda in a bookstore if I saw one there. I contributed many of the entries for the pantry section, but I was bowled over by hundreds of food entries ranging from BBQ on a stick providers, caviar cakes, dimsum, Lechon (but they forgot Lechon Family!), 5 providers of Brazo de Mercedes, cakes, cookies, etc. There are lists of party planners, caterers, florists, food carts, and even 2 entries for saxophonists! The pantry fillers include some of the folks who have been long-time readers and commenters on this blog… but many new folks from my recent posts haven’t made it into the book. Anyone selling from home or a small shop will want to be amongst this list of food sources in future editions!
At PHP350 a book, happily ensonced in a brown box with a blue ribbon, it is the PERFECT Christmas present, and at the right price in my opinion. And ALL of the money raised from the sale of the books goes to the school. Marketmanila took out an advertisement in the agenda/directory as a donation to underwrite some of the manufacturing costs. Marketmanila also purchased 50 copies for Christmas gifts and a few prizes. They only printed 4,000 copies total and about 3,200 have already been purchased, so only 800 or so remain. And I think the 4,000 copies will end up in homes that have serious food buying power (enough to make a difference with respect to the number of potential orders folks listed in this agenda will get over the next year)! If you want to buy a copy or two or three, please text Mae at 0917-327-3739 during regular office hours only. You will have to arrange pick-up from the school for your orders. And no, I do not make any money whatsoever from plugging this brilliant agenda… And yes, most of MM and Mrs MM’s charitable efforts are aimed at helping local educational institutions, public and private. After all, if we don’t educate, there is no hope of reversing mental malnutrition, just look at the Emilalva’s of the world… Coming up soon, a chance to win one of five Little Brown Books that Marketman will be giving away for FREE…
Your blog is very interesting, very informative! I’m wondering, how do I get a chance to win one of the little brown books?
November 13th, 2007thanks!
Oh wow thanks for the info. I reserved several for my friends and myself.
November 13th, 2007Gee thanks, hope I can get a copy of this brown book. Already texted Mae but she said she will let me know by this week.
November 13th, 2007I want to win it for free! :)
November 13th, 2007i want one! but i want a free copy too! let the games begin MM…hehehe!
November 13th, 2007Hi MM!
Long time lurker here, that book is a must have for foodies like me…
Kudos to your blog it really feeds the mind!
November 13th, 2007Game…
Set…
Match!
MM, please do tell us how to win one of those foodie-friendly brown books.
Pretty pretty please with cherry on top please?
Gee, you sure know how to get us all excited, don’t you? Hehe…
November 13th, 2007i already ordered two, but I still want to win the freebie from you. para may souvenir naman ako from you. sige na, game na…
November 13th, 2007Oh, the book finally came out? i thought it was just an ordinary food list but this is just so pretty!! A valued client and a cousin put me in the list, and I’m really grateful. Thanks for the tip, MM! =)
November 13th, 2007Ooooh!!! How I wish I could have one.
November 13th, 2007The Steak Lady, I put your name on my list as well, along with 40+ other names of suppliers and food sources, so it’s a nice long list altogether…
November 13th, 2007suerte naman nung mga kasali sa list na yun?? how does one get on the list?
November 13th, 2007i’d be happy to plunk down php350 for this. can i buy a few of the remaining 800 books?
November 13th, 2007mojito_drinker, you just have to text Mae at the number given in the post above. But hurry, I think a lot of folks are texting her this morning. leira, this list was compiled from the private lists of dozens of parents… so if you sell a good product and people like it, it will probably make it onto the list…
November 13th, 2007i wanna win a free copy MM! let games begin! =)
November 13th, 2007Wow. I want one. Not so much because of the planner but because of the information inside. This seems like a better deal compared to the Starbucks planner, less expensive too.
November 13th, 2007I wanna win a copy! Game na!!!
November 13th, 2007Love it! Ordered a few for some foodie friends! A great idea for a parent association. I am the Co Chair of the PTA in my daughters school and am currently elbow deep in school fundraising at the moment so I understand the blood,sweat, tears and more importantly (hopefully!) the laughter and fun that went into this project. My best wishes and congratulations to the Parent Association on their success !
November 13th, 2007MM maybe you could help us secure our copies. I already texted Mae but I am not sure if she got it coz I rang up her number after my text and the response was it can’t be reached. Oh no, not being able to get a few copies is a horrible thought….Help!!!
November 13th, 2007Teresa, just keep trying this afternoon, the text number is also used for other purposes so I suspect they are a it overloaded at the moment. Not to worry, I think the 800 copies will more than cover requirements today and tomorrow…then again, it depends how many folks are texting in… I have my hands full with the t-shirt/tote program so I can’t distribute the books as well.
November 13th, 2007waiting for the game.. hope i get lucky again.. teehee!! that book would be great for mom’s like me.. hope i get one either here or thru mae.. just wishing she would respond.. game MM.. tara na! hehehehe!
November 13th, 2007wow, i wish i could win that fab little brown book, very educational and informative.
November 13th, 2007Thanks for sharing the info, MM. I texted Mae already. I want a couple of copies:)) I hope she will reply to all our inquiries.
November 13th, 2007Hahaha! You sure know how to get the juices flowing
November 13th, 2007(of foodies). It’s a great idea and a great job by the parenting association. The free book offer is like a carrot dangling at the end of a stick and we readers are the equivalent of the donkey.
With that very interesting last page alone, I’m sure a lot of people would want to get their hands on this notebook.. ;P
November 13th, 2007ooohhh…i love the “fresh, finicky, free”….brilliant, MM!
November 13th, 2007huhuhuhu….. i texted Mae twice already but no response and when i dialed her number its unreachable. Help MM, I really wanna get a copy. I plan to give this to my husband, I know he will love this as much as I do.
November 13th, 2007Lenlen, they may be out to lunch and school cell left at their desks…give it until the end of the day at least…thanks for your patience.
November 13th, 2007Thanks MM! I also ordered 5 copies awhile ago but no reply yet from Mae. I hope we’ll get even just a few. Great giveaways for foodies!
November 13th, 2007I just received a txt from Mae confirming my order! Thanks so much MM; for answering my email on where I could get my mixer mixed,on where to buy poppy seeds, where to buy those packaging materials in Divisoria and for the countless other info I got from this site! You’re a gem! Advance merry Christmas to you and your family. God Bless :)
November 13th, 2007Just received a text confirming my order. Yay! Thanks, MM!
November 13th, 2007GOOD GRIEF! You guys are just too amazing. Mae has reported she is drowning under a deluge of orders, with over 225 agenda orders in the last few hours! Thank you very much for your support. You’ll wipe out the remaining books in no time at all… Thank you!
November 13th, 2007Got my confirmation for orders, too! thanks, MM! :)
November 13th, 2007argh! i can’t believe i read this only now!!! i don’t want to violate the past office hours text so will try my luck at 8am tomorrow morn! i hope they don’t run out
btw mm, i absolutely looooove your ad! hhihihi!!!it’s so you
November 13th, 2007Oh dear!! Read this too late too but I will try tomorrow morning! Oh dear! This will be an interesting agenda to own! XD
November 13th, 2007I know its kindda late in texting mae, i hope she can still accomodate my order. I’m a little desperate :-)baka kasi po maubusan…
November 13th, 2007Yipee! Just got my confirmation from Mae for 5 books!
Now I have another holiday present to give them “folks-who-have-just-about-everything” type.
Thanks for the heads up, MM! You’re the man!
November 13th, 2007got my order confirmation too! thanks again MM!
November 13th, 2007wahhh, I am here in Houston Texas, and I want one.. maybe two.. how can I get it? Help, help, desperate…. ugh.
November 13th, 2007Just want you guys to know that Mae responded to my call and text this morning. I reserved several copies and am hoping to get it soon. Am just so excited to share it with family and friends who are also foodies! Thanks MM.
November 13th, 2007Hi, MM! Just saw this post and am dying to order but as it’s half past one, will have to wait til tomorrow. I hope your legions of fans haven’t beaten me to what’s left of the 500+ copies available as of your last update. I’m going to the school this Friday for my son’s sit-in, and I’m hoping to pick up the copies by then. These will make perfect presents!
November 14th, 2007Yay! Am buying one for my foodie boss, if there are still available copies:)
November 14th, 2007Wow! This is a perfect gift for myself! This is definitely better than the Starbucks planer :) Perfect gift for foodie friends. Thanks for sharing this with us Marketman!
November 14th, 2007I’m interested in buying a copy of the little brown book. Is it possible to have the email address of a contact person as I’m not in the country at the moment? Thanks.
November 14th, 2007Marie, sorry, I don’t have an email address for orders…
November 14th, 2007yeheey… got my confirmation fr mae for 3-brwn book.! :)
November 14th, 2007i just texted mae (as it says on top) and i really want to have one for myself as i am also a food blogger (not so famous as you sir, hehe). that book will do wonders for my blog as my wife and i make it a point to dine out at least once a week. and i have linked your site to mine because i’m a really big fan! sana hindi po ako maubusan.
November 14th, 2007arpeelazaro, I don’t think the directory has many if any restaurants listed, more food sources and caterers, etc…
November 14th, 2007nonetheless, i believe the book will be a good foodie resource. are there available copies? i only want to buy one for myself.
November 14th, 2007arpeelazaro, I think there are still copies, Mae, at the school is just swamped and dealing with constant texts…I am sure she will confirm when possible…
November 14th, 2007Hello MM :-)YIPPEE! i got my comfirmation from mae. Thanks!!
November 14th, 2007thanks! i will patiently wait. more power to MM!
November 14th, 2007yes! i got my confirmation text! indeed patience is a virtue. thanks MM! thanks to mae for being pasensyosa!
November 14th, 2007tHE BEST SUPPRISE EVER!!!!!! Got home and found 2 copies on my kitchen table!!!!As expected, brilliant !!! Congratulations….whAT A LIST….AND WHAT A SUPER STARTING POINT…THE UPDATES IN COMING YEARS WILL BE SUPER TO LOOK FORWARD TO….
November 15th, 2007texted Mae, but did not get a response. Texting internationally.
November 15th, 2007There is only one design of the little brown book for those who are asking. I will reply to your text messages as soon as I read ALL of them. Please be patient as there are a lot of people sending and asking the same messages. Thank you
November 15th, 2007Thank you MM! You’ve just my Christmas shopping so much easier! Orders have been placed and confirmed! To everyone, please wait a few days before you get a reply text. I’m sure this is not the only thing that Mae is doing.
November 15th, 2007how does the actual planner pages look like? i’ve been frustratingly looking for a decent agenda planner with vertical columns spanning an entire week. most nicer planners these days are dated horizontally with only tiny spaces for saturdays and sundays - ironically my busiest days. i smsed earlier and am still waiting for a response =D btw, which school is benefited by this endeavor?
November 15th, 2007HI EVERYBODY! FOR THOSE WHO WOULD STILL LIKE TO ORDER THE LITTLE BROWN BOOK, BUT CANNOT TEXT MAE, YOU CAN ALSO SEND AN EMAIL TO THIS ADDRESS thelittlebrownbook@yahoo.com Thanks!
November 16th, 2007[…] Little Brown Book December 8, 2007 Filed under: Uncategorized — pinkisthecolor @ 2:29 pm M and I went to the pick up point of the Little Brown Book (which I just gave a nickname of LBB). It’s a planner/food directory/delivery reference all rolled into one. It wasn’t how I expected it to look like, but this isn’t in a bad way. I just imagined the daily part as different - or maybe I’ve just been so used on how the Starbucks planner looked like inside (which I stopped collecting the stickers for). I found out about the LBB here through Marketman’s blog. I think it was mentioned in his latest post (where he reminded us of the LBB pick up) that he might drop by. I was kinda hoping he would so I’d get to meet him. I wanted to ask the lady if he would drop by but as I was trying to practice the question in my head, I suddenly got shy. How would I ask her, “Miss, dadaan po ba si Marketman?” or “Miss, mag dro-drop by po ba si Mr. MM?” Hay… I don’t even know the guy’s name. I guess he’d be just like a “Charlie” to me. […]
December 8th, 2007