Sometimes...

...while everything is relatively peachy (^_^), I can't help but wish I had that one person who would listen to what I actually say, AND someone I'm comfortable sharing my thoughts with =)

The Big Bang Theory

I've always been a TV junkie, just these days i watch TV on my laptop, hahaha!

And this is my current addiction:

11.11.11 @ The Borough

Had a chillax dinner with J & J last 11/11/11. We were supposed to go to the lighting up of the wish lanterns at Banchetto, but as it was cancelled and it rained, we decided to go to the Podium instead.

I've been reading a lot about The Borough and had been wanting to go try it out, and thought it was the perfect time to do so, with 2 of my best friends. We also started for our upcoming trip next year *yey*

The Borough supposedly serves comfort food. And yes, while I can agree they serve good food, we just found it too pricey, and we weren't very comforted at all, hahaha =)

I forgot to take note of the prices, but the burger set us back by about 300 or so, i think even 400. Too pricey. Heehee. Might not be coming back too soon.

That Moment

...when the thing you've just given up ever finding shows itself out of nowhere, when you weren't even looking for it anymore =)

Dinner at Chef's Quarters

Chef's Quarters is part of the same chain which owns Uncle Cheffy and Buerre Blanc. And that can only mean one thing: great food =)

I had dinner with my friend C some time back at Chef's Quarters, and suffice it to say it was very pleasant =) I searched the net before we went there, and I really wanted to try their Tessie Tomas Salad. 

Tessie Tomas, according to their menu (yes, I copied it, haha), is an old time favorite, a combination of roasted prawns, marinated salmon and grilled shitake mushrooms with mesclun salad in a creamy balsamic dressing. Whew! That was long! For me, the flavors simply blended very well together =) It was obviously named after the comedian, as Ms. Tessie Tomas would always ask the Chef to prepare it for her.

Tessie Tomas Salad, Php 250

We also had Lasagna, which was not exactly my favorite that night. It tasted good, but I easily got tired of it. Nakakasuya. Hehe. I can pass this up next time.

Lasagna, Php 230

We also had their All-Meat Panizza. This is something we'd always order from Uncle Cheffy, and it tasted exactly the same, haha! And while I'm not complaining, well, uhmmm, I guess I just was expecting something different?

All-Meat Panizza, Php 290

The restaurant has 12% VAT and 10% Service Charge. But hey, I say it's worth it =)

The Manila Pen Experience

I've been to the Manila Peninsula a couple of times before for seminars or talks, but never really experienced the Pen, at least not how I've read people have experienced it.

Last September 14, Manila Peninsula celebrated its 35th year in Manila, and was selling their famed Halo-Halo and Schueblig Sausage for each Php35. But more than the obvious discounted food, it's the whole experience that I'm really, really happy about.

Dimmed lights, and the live string quartet playing in the background made the experience so nice =)

And the Sun at The Lobby, finally got to meet her =)

Friends with Benefits

I wanted to see this in the theater, but my cousin advised me to just download it instead. And yeah, while I liked the movie, it's better just downloaded and watched at home rather than spend your bucks for big screen tickets.

Friends with Benefits is a just a light movie, with a fast-becoming familiar set-up: 2 supposed friends who are sleeping together and should have no emotional investment. Haha. Who are you trying to fool? Sex is an intimate act, and if you are doing it together, on a regular basis, you are bound to fall in love with your bedmate. End of story.

Nevertheless, while we know exactly where the movie was going to, it doesn't stop us from enjoying it nevertheless. Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis are so charming together and very convincing both as friends and as lovers =)

Most memorable line: from JT's gay officemate: "It's not who you spend Friday night with, it's who you want to spend the whole day Saturday with."

Comfort Food Contender #2: Mexicali

I first ate at Mexicali when I was a lot younger and got reunited with it in college; it has since then become a favorite go-to place if I don't want to be disappointed with my meal. A lot of people say that it's not authentic Mexican food, but hey, I really wouldn't know so this would do me just fine for now.

(I do enjoy Taco Bell and Zapata's in Clark – where you can supposedly get the most authentic Mexican food around. I’m not discriminating with my food. )

What made this particular trip to Mexicali special is that I spent it with my boys  - always a treat and I’m thankful for these times =)

For Daddy, I ordered Enchilladas with Rice and Salsa. This is my default order and I always like the creaminess of the cheese that gives it a nice oomph. Daddy likes it too and thinks that the meal is balanced as it had meat, veggies and rice.

Chicken Enchillada with Rice & Salad, Php 195

I think R was the least happy with his meal that day. He had Tacos with rice and chili con carne. He found the chili con carne to be too overpowering for his liking; I actually had to finish it off for him.

Taco & Chili Con Carne with Rice, with Sprite, Php199

I usually order Enchilladas when I’m in Mexicali but since Daddy’s having it already, I decided to get Burritos instead. I think it was quite on the dry side that day. I decided to put it R’s leftover chili con carne and it turned out great. The chili con carne was toned down and my burrito had more interesting stuff going in it. The burrito had chips and salsa which were great for in-between bites.

Ground Beef Burritos, Php145

Aaaahhhh, but I always leave room for my butterscotch pie here in Mexicali. Custard generously topped with meringue sitting on nicely-baked crust sounds like the perfect cap for your Mexican meal, don't you think?

We had Daddy with us, so we were able to avail of senior citizen discounts which the store dutifully honors. Mexicali’s on partly self-service mode, but the staff was gracious nonetheless.

So am I coming back again? Definitely.

Butterscotch  Pie, Php89

Birthday Celebrations @ C2

When my friend, E, went home from SG a few months ago, he wanted to treat us for his birthday and have some Filipino food for dinner. We agreed to go to C2 in Megamall this time =)

I believe C2 is always a good place if you want some nice Filipino food. It's contemporary, serves just-right portions and while they have the classics, they don't forget to give it a new twist so as not to tire you out.

That night, we had Chicharon Monggo at Crispy Paksiw. Mommy used to make them so well, so I kinda miss it. C2's version were yummy, and I love the added texture of the chicharon that came with it.

Chicharon Monggo at Crispy Paksi, Php310

We also had Seafood Inasal which had several seafoods in it. It was nice, but nothing too memorable, and I think it was quite expensive for its price.

Seafood Inasal, Php325

Dilis fried rice was my favorite that night. Just the right amount of dilis flavor to make the rice interesting; the dilis flavor was not taking the spotlight from the fried rice, which I liked very much.

Dilis fried rice, Php90

We also had Sisig Express (Php 275) that night, but I wasn't able to take pictures. It was good, nothing too special, but I like Sisig so I might order that again next time.

The very gracious staff of C2 Megamall gave us complimentary cake as my friend E was having his birthday that night. They gave us the resto's specialty dessert - Bibingka Souffle!

The stafff is as sweet and as Filipino in style as their dessert =)

I'd eat at C2 again anytime if I'd have cravings for some classic, contemporary Filipino food =)

A visit to the Salcedo Market

I've been wanting to go to the Salcedo Market for the loooongest time. Finally got to do it a few weekends back. As my tita, who I live with on weekdays, lives in the Makati area, I decided to walk the distance from her place to the Salcedo Market to get my much-needed exercise.

I agree with my Tita's observations, Salcedo's vendors are mostly elders showcasing family recipes while Mercato at the Fort has the young entrepreneurs crowd. Most products are organic and supposedly healthy, but you can find all sorts of things for sale there, like the Sushi selection below.

I really just intended to roam around and see what's it's all about, and I honestly did not expect to have my tummy filled with all the free tastes and samples they were giving out. Had my healthy and organic breakfast here. Haha! I only bought these Mint Chocolate Fudge Cookies which were sooo good =) Each cookie was moist, chewy, with chunky bits of chocolate mint which was sooo yummy! I intend to go back and buy again. One cookie costs me Php35.

I'd probably be back again sometime soon, I want those chocolate chip cookies again! =)

I want to...

...hold your hand.

Last Supper No.3

I just finished watching Last Supper No.3 from Cinema One tonight, and I just knew I had to write about the film.

The story was about Wilson, an Assistant Production Designer tasked to look for a Last Supper to be used as a backdrop in a Corned Beef commercial. After accidentally losing one of the 3 Last Suppers which were shortlisted, Wilson got in rough terms with the owners and this is where his arduous journey through our country's impossible Justice System begins. Calling it Justice System is wrong on so many levels already, haha. There's neither Justice nor System  in there, but I'm getting ahead of myself.

The movie tackled on the country's depressing Justice System (if we can call it that), and how unsuspecting average citizen gets entangled in its ridiculous ways. In a comical way, Last Supper No.3 showed how red tape, corruption, ridiculous practices, this country's exclusive circumstances and the colorful personalities can drag on a simple case of losing the forsaken Last Supper No.3 to years and years of unnecessary due process. It started out really funny, but it later become difficult to watch, as you can't help but think, why is everything so complicated?! The sad part is, our country's justice system is complicated. It's actually like that in real life  - it will start out as funny and ridiculous, but later it's just plain ridiculous! With my short brush to this so called Justice System (and I intend and hope to never have to deal with them ever again) here in the Philippines, I say the movie gave a very close portrayal how things and people are in that pit.

I have not watched too many films, but I am very happy with the kind of films that are being made; makes you think, and hope, that one day our brilliant filmmakers will one day not only get the recognition they deserve, but also help alleviate this country from the mess we're in.

Tagaytay Love

Tagaytay has always been special. I’ve been there a lot of times on family weekend excursions, school field trips, spontaneous road trips with friends, org sem planning, company strategic planning, food trips; the list goes on and on.

I love how it’s only an hour’s drive away from the city and you have yourself a different view and a whole set of great restos to choose from.

I think everybody should have their own Tagaytay like I do mine. A special place not too near, not too far, just the right distance to get you back to a special place where your heart belongs =) And as much as I have tons of great photos and countless memories in Tagaytay, I still hope to make more next time.

Little Tokyo Adventure

Note: All pictures are by my friend L.

A couple of Sundays back, I had a wonderful bonding time with my girlfriends, L and C for a belated celebration of L's birthday. We were originally going to Binondo, but I suggested that we go to Little Tokyo instead as I've been wanting to try it out there for quite some time. And I'm glad we opted to go there intead =)

Little Tokyo is located at a less appealing place than the more popular, usual Makati hotspots. It's a compound quite hidden from the main road (Pasong Tamo), beside Makati Cinema Square. I like the personality of the place - I've never been to Tokyo but I can easily imagine the city with how the cluster of restaurants are designed and built together. It's a very nice discovery, really.

There are several grocery shops as seen from Pasong Tamo, and the more expensive restaurants are also around the exterior of the compound. It would be nice to go inside - there are 2 Little Tokyo arcs that serve as entrance/exit points leading to a cluster of restaurants, with a small bonsai garden in the middle, lampposts and wooden chairs and tables that give off that Japanese feel.

As there were several restaurants inside, we just randomly chose Hana. And honestly, it wasn't a bad choice at all =)

My favorite was the Unagi Kabayaki, which was just eel with a very tasty sauce. I've tried Unagi in other Jap restos before, but none made quite a mark on me. This one I like very much though =) We had it sprinkled with a Japanese seasoning in a bottle (like the McCormick ones), which the staff gave us. It went very well with the Unagi and I love it. This one's my fave from all that we ate at Hana =)

In some of the blogs I've read, they've mentioned that Hana has the best Takoyako in town. I guess that shoot up my expectations of their Takoyaki. So, what do I think of their version? I'd say it's a far cry from what you get to buy in kiosks scaterred around the metro, and I will probably get that again the next time I go there. However, I don't think it's something I'd regularly crave for.

We also had the Hana Special Salad with Sesame Sauce and their Miso Ramen. To start with, I am not much of a fan of salads and ramens, and sadly, Hana's versions failed to make me a convert either. It's not bad, but I don't think they were exceptionally good either. I can pass up both next time.

Oh, but this, for me, is the star of the night - Green Tea Ice Cream! I love everything green tea and this one is sooo good and so cheap at that! Only Php90 for a size a little larger than the local personal sizes we can buy around. We bought from one of the grocery stores in there which sell all kinds of Japanese stuff. It was the perfect cap for our little foodie adventure. I'd sure be buying more of these in the coming days - I'm going back there even just to get my green tea ice cream fix =))

Go Greek!: Comfort Food Contender #1

Early on with this blog, I said I was looking for a new, and healthier comfort food to replace McDo's Cheeseburger meal in my tummy's heart. Here's one of my favorite frontrunners: Go Greek!

Go Greek! has the same owners as Cyma; and I like to think of the former as a cheaper version of the latter :) I am hooked on their Kebabs - specifically the Seafood one. I would regularly crave for their Seafood Kebab and I just find myself going out of my way to get it. They're on Glorietta's Food Choices, near the window overlooking SM.

I used to find their food quite pricey, given that it's foodcourt food. At Php195, don't you think it was quite pricey? It had a seafood kebab with tomatoes and onions, chunks of potatoes and vegetable salad on the side. It was good, but still, pricey.

Then one day, I brought my friend here and ordered the same meal, but instead of potatoes, she just had pita bread. And you know how much it cost her? Php 135!!! Sixty-peso difference for potatoes? Oh my, while I'm a potato lover, I don't think it's wisest to pay for potatoes that much. Since then, I just order my kebab with pita bread instead =)

Oh, and before I forget, their greek vinaigrette! It's my favorite - and simply one of the main reasons I go back again and again =) They used to give it endlessly, with bottles of their Greek and Fruitty vinaigrettes available outside the counter. But I guess people started getting too much, and then management started limitting their vinaigrette =(

Hmmmm, I think I'm craving for my seafood kebab again!!!

Go Greek!

Glorietta 4 Food Choices

Ayala Center, Makati City

Ang Babae sa Septic Tank

Was supposed to watch Septic Tank in the Greenbelt run with a couple of friends, but tickets were sold off before we could get hold of some for ourselves. So, it was such a pleasant surprise that it was shown commercially. And boy, was I glad to have gotten the chance to see the film. Wow, wow, wow. Brilliant, funny, witty, superb acting. Everything I want in a film. I am by no means a film critic, but I do enjoy watching movies, and getting something out of it when I get out of the moviehouse.

With Septic tank, even if you take out the brilliance out of the movie, it would still be hilarious!!! Eugene Domingo's timing and acting prowess is impeccable. I thought she would be overrated, but she is not. She deseves every accolade she gets because she is good. Very good.

But more than Ms.Domingo, what I love most about the film is how subtle it was. Subtle, without trying too hard. It was able to present a very serious issue, Pedophilia, without boring the audience. I haven't seen too many films, but for me, it was brilliant. Heck, I was even laughing at the musical part. Brilliant.

In addition, the movie was also able to showcase the difficulties of independent fillmaking. Showed how struggling producers and directors go about the challenges in making up a film, and more importantly, what their real motivation is. It's awards, no longer story-telling. Real.

Yes, I am taken away. And I was crying because I was laughing too much. And after that, it made me think, and ponder. What more can you ask for?

Be deliriously happy.

Meet Joe Black had always been one of my favorite movies of all time. I find the movie so complelling its simplicity, yet it captures some of the sincerest sentiments of my life. As with other things in have held dear in my life, I liked the movie because it spoke to me.

I guess a lot of people would remember the movie for these lines. And it's true, we should never settle. It's all or nothing - a fairy tale or not at all.

Love is passion, obsession, someone you can't live without. I say, fall head over heels. Find someone you can love like crazy and who will love you the same way back. How do you find him? Well, you forget your head, and you listen to your heart. And I'm not hearing any heart. Cause the truth is, honey, there's no sense living your life without this. To make the journey and not fall deeply in love, well, you haven't lived a life at all. But you have to try, cause if you haven't tried, you haven't lived. Stay open. Who knows? Lightning could strike.

“There’s not an ounce of excitement, not a whisper of a thrill. This relationship has all the passion of a pair of titmice. I want you to get swept away out there. I want you to levitate. I want you to sing with rapture & dance like a dervish…be deliriously happy or at least leave yourself open to be.”

Maybe, people even remember this one, Anthony Hopkins as William Parrish delivered this on his *grand* party:

 I thought I was going to sneak away tonight. What a glorious night. Every face I see is a memory. It may not be a perfectly perfect memory. Sometimes we had our ups and downs. But we're all together, and you're mine for a night. And I'm going to break precedent and tell you my one candle wish: that you would have a life as lucky as mine, where you can wake up one morning and say, "I don't want anything more." Sixty-five years. Don't they go by in a blink?

But these lines from Allison, William's other daughter really gets to me every time:

Because I know that you love me.

I mean, it's not like it is with her.

Whenever she walks into the room,your eyes light up.

She always gets a smile from you,as opposed to me.

When I walk in,this look comes over your face, like,

"What does she want now?"

But you've never let either of us want for anything.

Oh, God. More than that, Daddy,more than that.

I've felt loved,and that's all that matters.

So, never mind favorites. You're allowed to have one.

The point is,you've been mine.

I guess I'm just touched as to how real it felt. How it's ok to be the non-favorite because you are still loved. How real and how easy people fall into the trap of having favorites, how it's nobody's fault and how everyone should never feel injustice to this little fact. It's so real. That is how movies should be.

X-Men: First Class

I've watched this film a couple of months back and I can remember that I enjoyed the movie quite well.

Directed by Matthew Vaugh, the movie dates a couple of decades back, when Professor X was still Charles Xavier and Magneto was still Erik Lensherr. It showed the 2 most iconic mutants as best friends rather than today's archenemies.

I remember being quite entertained by the main characters' "bromance". Hahaha. Nevertheless, though I'm not the series' biggest fan, I appreciate seeing a glimpse of its story and its beginnings. Always best to understand your past so we can all move forward, right?

My first ever Pesto Pasta

I've been learning how to cook in the past few months. It's such a nice discovery that I can do it, and that I can enjoy myself while learning the ins and outs of the kitchen. It's been really fun =)

One of my most recent concoction is this - Pesto Pasta! I have always loved Pesto and I'm just too glad I was able to make this one. Although, I only bought myself bottled Pesto; next time I'll try to do my Pesto from scratch!

I always have to have brocolli in my food! I also added in tuna and mushroom for my sauce for added taste and texture.

 My very own pasta *beams with pride*

Green Tea Fix

My favorite Starbucks drink is Green Tea Frap. I like the slightly bitter tea aftertaste and crave for it regularly. But as in most Starbucks drink, while I'd say it's worth it, it can still be quite pricey. So, imagine my giddiness when I found a cheaper alternative for my green tea Fix - S & R's Green Tea Smoothie!

At Php 99 and at a size which is a little smaller than Starbucks' Grande, it's definitely a lot cheaper as Starbucks' version is already priced at Php 145 and that's just Tall. S&R's version is somewhat more artificial in flavor, but is yummy just the same. I'd definitely go for this smoothie next time I'd have my green tea craving.

White Oleander

White Oleander is a story that speaks of the bond of a mother and her daughter, that sacred bond that ignores time, distance, beliefs and even how they treat and feel about each other. That sacred bond, that is ultimately based on love, longing and belonging.

Ingrid and Astrid Magnussen are mother and daughter living a somewhat average life, as average as a home headed by an artistic single mother can get. Everything changed when Ingrid fell in love with Barry Kolker and later found herself heartbroken. She then went for revenge by murdering Barry using her favorite flower, the poisonous white oleander. When she was imprisoned, Astrid at fifteen years old had to go through several foster homes, thrusting her to the harsh realities of life way too early and without the guidance of a mother. Astrid coursed through her young life alone and away from her home and her mother, but always finding herself never free of her grasp.

What I personally like most about the book is how beautiful the words are. And how much it spoke to me. There were times it was painful to read, but it was so real, you find yourself nodding in agreement as you read. I intentionally hold on to the book and did not finish it immediately, savoring each page. I rarely reread books I've already finished, but this one I intend to read again. Beautiful, poetic, real.

Sharing one of my favorite lines from the book, and it came to me at a time I can relate to it the most:

How vast was a human being's capacity for suffering. The only thing you could do was stand in awe of it.

Mozu's Choco Lava

Just had to post one of the many desserts I heart <3

Choco Lava, Php 125 from Mozu Cafe

Shared this heavenly piece of dessert with a few of my girlfriends from the office. Words that will justify this escape me now, but please believe me when I say this is sooo good. I will edit as soon as I am capable of writing something more fitting again.

Bar Dolci's Gelato

During our last fostering activity, I finally had the chance to try out the Gelato at Bar Dolci. I've been eyeing to try this out the last time I was in the Burgos Circle area, but I remembered being too full at that time.

Instead of getting a small cup with just one flavor which would cost Php120, our team lead let us get the Php200-peso cup with 3 flavors. Gelato overload!

I got Thai Tea Milk, Ferrero and Starciatella. And all three were very good - I highly recommend them! One of my teammates got Pistachio, which I also liked. I also tried their supposed bestseller, Salted Caramel, but I didn't quite like it (apparently, this is James Yap's fave, according to our ate server). On my next visit, I'd try Chocolate Mint, Extra Dark Chocolate and Chocnut. Yes, I'm a chocolate lover =)

I'd definitely go back for the other gelato flavors, cocktail popsicles and their colorful macaroons, which I've heard are also good =)

 

Bar Dolci
F133 Forbeswood Heights corner Burgos Circle Area
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
(63 2) 4153333

Pagbilao with my girls

I realy like going to less popular, exotic places around the country. I just think that when I get old it will be a lot harder for me to go to these wonderful, raw places with no modern accommodations, organized travel routes and sophisticated restaurants.

And so yet again, I went on to take the road less travelled with my two best girlfriends with me.

This time the chosen place is a secluded beach cove in Pagbilao, Quezon called Puting Buhangin, its main attraction other than its fine, white sand is the cave on its one end called Kwebang Lampas.

And so I searched up the net, packed up my bags, went on to ride a southbound bus to Quezon, went down to Lucena, and from there we asked around how to get there. We had 2 more jeepney rides, a very bumpy tricycle ride, a short banca cruise across a lake and a 10-minute trek, and we're there. Travel going there is just ok for me, but I'm not sure if it's the kind everybody can take. Hehe.

One landmark to check if you're on the right track is the Pagbilao Power Plant. If you see this phallic tower, then you're right on track.

When we got there, I think it was well worth it =)

I'd have to be honest though, this shot was taken after everybody left and we had the beach all to ourselves. The beach can get a little crowded, so if you opt not to take one of the huts (we didn't), better secure up your spot. This was my view while I lying down on the spot where we laid our mats for the length of our stay.

This shot of the coconut trees up above my head would inspire me for weeks ahead. Life can be so good =) I think up to now this is still my phone screensaver =)

On other end of the cove is a cave which actually just opens up to the open sea, at one point there were also some kids jumping off from the cliff above the cave. Actually looked exciting. One day, I'd do that =)

We went there to explore a bit and of course, to get some more photos!

The place was well worth the travel. However, be warned - there are no available running water facilities and shower areas. So we went back to Manila without fresh showers. So while I have no regrets looking up for the place, I'd probably won't necessarily be back there anytime soon. And besides, I have a rule: No same destination twice. Haha =)

It wasn't the most relaxing trip, mainly because of the travel (we took public transpo!), but I felt recharged after. I guess the sight of the beach, swimming in the crystal clear waters, along with the sacrifice of the commute can be quite good for the soul =)

If you're planning your next trip, I'd say you should consider Pagbilao =)