Oliboy's Adventures

The Return

2012-01-15T19:48:00.001+08:00

Ha Yuan Signatures
Madison Square Granada
Granada Street, Quezon City

One of the best Maki-Mi in town can now be found in our neighborhood. Strategically located at Madison Square Granada, it now sheds off the cafeteria/turo-turo concept and concentrates on their signature dishes.

It's still as amazing as I remember it and brings back a lot of good memories of my forgotten youth.

Friendly Neighborhood Ramen Place

2011-12-24T17:47:00.001+08:00

Moshi Koshi
Shaw Boulevard

The food was ok but definitely not as great as Ukokkei. I tried the Shio Butter Corn Ramen which was a bit on the salty side. The combination of the broth, butter, and corn was ok but I would prefer Miso Butter Corn still for the strong flavor. Sadly, they don't offer that. I did like the noodles and its texture. I also tried their Gyozas which I'm a bit picky with. I liked Ukokkei's Gyoza better. Moshi Koshi's was a bit "too veggie".

All in all, the place wasn't that bad. Service was good. And the chef was actually smiling. Something Ukokkei patrons like us are not used to. The best thing about this place is that it's literally steps away from my house. Perfect for that ramen craving.

Lisbon Experience

2011-12-20T11:40:00.000+08:00

The EU (European Union) has been so greatly affected by the world's economic crisis and coming to Portugal made me see it with my own two eyes. Streets are almost empty during dinner time and shops are closed really early. It's sad really. Portugal is a beautiful country. The people are nice. Food is not that great but at least they try. Maybe my only wish for this coming new year is that the world become a much happier place to be in. Apart from financial happiness, of course. I seriously miss the genuine smiles on people's faces.

Paris Layover

2011-12-15T03:06:00.001+08:00

My Paris experience was just so so. Must've expected to much. Don't get me wrong. The food was great. Sights like the Eiffel Tower, Notra Dame, and Louvre were amazing. The only thing lacking maybe was the feeling of those romantized movies and photos. Didn't experience those at all. Frankly, Paris is more of a woman's travel place than a man's. The city is beautiful but it may be just not for me.

Amsterdam Layover

2011-12-09T03:16:00.001+08:00

The place is amazing. Walk around and make sure you go to the Rijksmusem, Van Gogh Museum, Heineken Experience, Red Light District, and the Anne Frank House. Cannabis can be found in "Coffee Shops". Some can be found in the outskirts but most are within the Red Light District. Walk. I could not stress that enough.

The cuisine is pretty much mostly influences from other countries. So just try the hotdogs, deli, herring, and doner kebabs.

Eurotrip

2011-12-06T15:19:00.001+08:00

I'm off to a business trip tomorrow in Lisbon but spending a couple of days in Amsterdam and Paris. This will be my first time so I'm both excited and scared. Been hearing a lot of negative stuff about Europe lately. Hopefully we get to eat some good food and see some amazing sights. I'll try to squeeze in some posts into the blog so stay-tuned. See you soon.

New Fall Shows 2011

2011-10-09T13:57:00.001+08:00

Must watch:

A Gifted Man
Revenge
New Girl
Death Valley
Up All Night
Homeland

Great Comebacks:

The Big Bang Theory
Breaking Bad
Fringe

Goodbye. And Thank You.

2011-10-06T09:14:00.000+08:00

Rest in Peace Steve Jobs (1955-2011)

Globe Powersurf Plans

2011-09-09T10:40:00.000+08:00

Perfect for people who are always on the go. Thank you Globe for these options.

The service is, however, only available from August 14, 2011 to November 15, 2011. So make the most out of it and let's hope that Globe makes it permanent.

TANGINA THIS!

2011-07-08T17:26:00.000+08:00

Basically, the video says that we can't ask for anything from our worthless government. It's up to every individual to do things on his/her own to survive this crazy country. You've heard of "Fuck Tha Police"? This is a lowly citizen's "Fuck the Government" statement.

Some Blogs Can Be Deceiving

2011-07-01T14:08:00.000+08:00

Tamagoya Noodle House
Soliven Avenue
Antipolo City

The gyoza reminded me of the fried gyoza I used to love eating at the old Viramall in the Greenhills Shopping Center. It brought back high school memories but apart from that it was not as good as I had expected. The wrap was flimsy and the meat inside was not as compact. I should have trusted my instincts with this and ordered the Karaage (Fried Chicken) instead.

I was excited with the ramen so I was saving some space for that. When it arrived, it looked really good. The quintessential toppings were there and the broth looked rich and thick. It appeared only to be a mirage. I tasted the soup first and it was not as strong as I had hoped for. The aesthetics of the soup was far from the thickness of the soup itself. The flavor was a bit bland. Mediocre. I thought the chasyu could make up for the lack of punch the soup had but it didn't. The meat was really tough because they used very lean meat. It was good for the health but not good for texture and flavor. The only thing I really liked about the whole ramen experience was the noodles. I loved its texture and the way the soup base coated each noodle strand and how it glimmered against the light. It was al dente. But because of the sorry soup and tough meat, the whole dish didn't even come close to average.

It's sad because the dishes we had were not to our satisfaction. We expected a sort of secret ramen place this side of town but we were utterly disappointed. Too bad because the service was excellent and the place looked very authentic. I'm giving Tamagoya another chance though. Next week, I will try their Curry Ramen and I pray that next time I would finally get the perfect ramen dish I were searching for all along.

Singapore: Sup Tulang

2011-06-23T00:18:00.001+08:00

Being a fan of Anthony Bourdain and his show No Reservations, it's always a fun experience to follow in his footsteps visiting the places he has dined in. Our trip to Singapore was no exception. We tried the Sup Tulang at the Golden Mile Hawker Center. And yes, we loved it as much as he did.

Make Up Your Mind, Dammit!

2011-06-06T16:32:00.004+08:00

The iPad was invented, people wanted to turn it into a laptop.

Crux Loaded

The laptop, on the other hand, people wanted to become iPad-like.

Mac OS X Lion's Launchpad

We don't know what the fuck we want, it's sad.

Constant Change

2011-06-04T13:48:00.001+08:00

As children, we were taught that there were 9 planets. The last one being the coldest and farthest from the sun, Pluto. Fast forward to today, Pluto is no longer considered a planet but is now a "dwarf planet"...

As children, we were already taught how to eat healthy and have a balanced diet. Fast forward to today, the Food Pyramid we follow as children has now been replaced by the Food Plate. Maybe with the continuous increase of child obesity in the US, First Lady Michelle Obama thought of changing up the whole concept of healthy eating.

It was Heraclitus that once said: Nothing endures but change. In life, everything changes. No ifs, buts, or exceptions. EVERYTHING changes. But it is up to us to know if the change is right or wrong. It is up to us to follow these changes or ignore them completely. I do not believe that we are powerless against change because we have the greatest weapon of all... FREE WILL.

June 10, 2011

2011-06-04T12:29:00.004+08:00

Last time I posted about Max's was when they had their eat-all-you-can promo. What could they have in store for us on June 10, 2011?

The Max’s Chicken All You Can record for most number of chicken quarters consumed was 14. Let's see if I have it in me to beat that or at least beat my record last year of 8 quarters.

How Not To Overspend At Restaurants

2011-06-03T10:28:00.002+08:00

MSN Money tells us how to spend wisely at a restaurant. This article was reported by Michael Macklon for Investopedia. Here are some of the ways restaurants get you to spend according to the said article:

1. The upsell

All successful restaurant operators train their serving staff to use suggestive selling. And servers have plenty of incentive beyond their boss's bottom line, as the higher the final bill is, the larger the tip the server stands to receive. A good server sells food like a car salesman.

Every menu offering is simply a base model that can be enhanced with special features. A pasta dish can be outfitted with garlic toast and upholstered with cheese. Everything's better with bacon, and who doesn't deserve a "king-sized" serving?

These suave suggestions of super sizes, appetizers, dessert, extra cheese, double burgers and double highballs can quickly double your tab, too, and these extras are often the difference between an operation being a laggard or a moneymaker.

2. Forced waiting

Have you ever been on a restaurant's waiting list but noticed a number of open tables? Many times, the restaurant has done this by design. The idea is to get you to sit in the lounge; there always seems to be room in the lounge. Here, the bar server has an opportunity to upsell you on drinks and appetizers.

Often, some restaurants will bill you separately for your lounge items, which may make you feel obligated to tip both of your servers. Many diners may walk in with a budget, but when made to wait among a lounge full of food and drinks, it's tough to ignore a sudden craving or a hungry belly.

3. All you can eat

This gluttonous proposition appeals to consumers' desire to get the most value for their dining dollars. And while there is some value in all-you-can-eat offerings, savvy restaurateurs know how to make a lot of money from the seemingly generous deal.

First, the price for the entrée is often more than the regular price and the serving size is smaller. Guests are encouraged to fill up on less expensive side dishes and complimentary (cheap) breadsticks and salad, leaving less room for refills. Second, mass-producing one item reduces the purchase and production costs of the item, allowing for a significant profit margin.

To actually cost the restaurant money, a guest would need to eat numerous refills. Very few people go beyond two refills, so the law of averages works in the restaurant's favor.

These promotions are also great at attracting big crowds on otherwise lackluster days, and a crowded dining room creates plenty of opportunities for servers to upsell profitable add-ons. Even if a customer happens to be a competitive eater, it's likely he still has to wash down all that chow with overpriced sodas or bar drinks that balance the costs of the entrée. Even at a small loss, the restaurant can still hope to offset losses with repeat business and positive word-of-mouth advertising.

4. Fake specials

Many restaurants reserve a place on their menu for the daily "special." Often, this unique offering is simply the food that is set to expire soonest. Featuring a dish is also a great tool for pushing high-profit menu items. Restaurants like to push big-ticket entrées as a featured item to give the impression that an upscale meal is available for less.

Real deals can be had, but it's wise to check the regular menu to see if the special is indeed less than the regular price. Many restaurants will let their guests assume that featured items receive a discount when in fact there is no savings. Being skeptical of subjective descriptions like "special" and "feature" can help you avoid paying up for false value.

5. 'These pretzels are making me thirsty!'

TV's "Seinfeld" made an astute point about what happens when you eat too many salty snacks: You get thirsty! This scientific tidbit isn't lost on bar owners, who profit from sodium's dehydrating effects. Many bars are happy to offer free pretzels, peanuts, potato chips and popcorn -- pretty much anything that's cheap and addictively salty will do the trick -- knowing that customers will soon crave drinks to ease their growing thirst.

Considering that a keg of Heineken costs about $110, bar owners can make a $415 profit, or a 377% return on investment, by selling $5 pints of beer. If you're trying to keep a modest drink tab, avoid curing your tongue with salty snacks that drive you to drink.
The bottom line

No matter what food you're craving, America's food service industry offers a host of options, and aggressive competition means great deals are available. But to follow your food budget, you need to see past the slick commercials, flashing neon and limited-time promotions. By becoming impervious to restaurant sales tricks, you can avoid overspending and, by fortunate coincidence, overeating.

Chili's 4th Annual Burger Day

2011-04-05T10:57:00.000+08:00

April 5, 2011 is the date of the 4th Annual Burger Day at Chili's. Big Mouth Burgers at only Php 120 each. Available at Chili's Greenbelt 5, Greenhills, Tomas Morato, and Chili's Too (Power Plant Mall).

FS: SCOTTEVEST Tropical Jacket/Vest

2011-03-21T16:29:00.004+08:00

Helping my brother in selling:

Greetings

I have a few SCOTTEVEST Tropical Jacket/Vest for sale. I personally own one of these and they are great for travelling (and even daily wear). Check out the pics attached to this email. This would be a great gift to any traveler or gadget enthusiast.

The Tropical Jacket/Vest combines all of the gadget-carrying functionality you have come to expect from SeV Travel Clothing in a lightweight, packable jacket. This design is so versatile you can fold it into itself and toss it in you carry-on, golf bag, or glove compartment. The sleeves zip off so it can also be worn as a vest. It is perfect for traveling to warm climates, the golf course, out for a casual dinner, or for a walk on the beach. The Supplex fabric coupled with the mesh lining and zip-off sleeves will make this your go-to jacket when you need a great looking, lightweight option.
The Tropical Jacket/Vest features two interior clear touch pockets that allow you to see and control your iPod®/iPhone® right through the cloth. Of course, most of the 18 pockets connect to our patented Personal Area Network (PAN) so your headphones never tangle and are always right where you need them. The Weight Management System™, balances the load of whatever you carry - a perfect addition to your travel clothes wardrobe. The Tropical Jacket/Vest is offered in 3 colors - Black, Driftwood (an olive color) and Smoke (a light gray). The exterior is water-resistant, 100% Supplex (nylon) with a 100% Polyester Mesh lining. Machine Washable. Do not tumble dry. Hang to dry.

Sizes Available:

3 Medium

3 Large

2 Extra Large

I am selling them for PhP 6,500.00 per jacket. If you are interested (or want to see the item) please don't hesitate to contact me thru the methods bellow. Feel free to pass along this email to people who you think might be interested.

Thanks for your time and MTFBWYA (May the FORCE Be With You Always) ...

---
Vincent Benedict Py Castro

Thank you Globe!

2011-03-09T16:12:00.005+08:00

Unlimited Mobile Internet is FINALLY made available for Postpaid Plans:

After so many years with Globe, it's just this time that they realized the need for this. That's progress in a 3rd World country for you. Still, my appreciation goes out to them. At least they finally get to give back to the loyal Postpaid consumers instead of the income-generating giant that is Prepaid.

A Gem At The Podium

2011-02-20T16:29:00.001+08:00

February 20, 2011
Shi Lin
The Podium
ADB Avenue

Has the search finally come to an end; the best tasting, juiciest, most affordable Xiao Long Bao in Manila? I believe it has.

Shi Lin's XLB at The Podium

To Boycott Or Not?

2011-02-13T02:16:00.003+08:00

Forgive my insomniac ramblings, which by tomorrow I might regret. I'm really thinking of moving my blog to a more user friendly environment like Tumblr or Wordpress. The reason behind this bold move stems from the lack of a good app to post blogs on Blogger/Blogspot. Google must be too busy with the mobile phone and browser wars that they completely forgot the lowly Blogger. Micro-blogging is killing blogs and if they don't adapt, heavy blogging will certainly be a dying artform.

Lastly, this blog was not "Sent via iPhone" but painstakingly sent through a Flash-less Safari app on the iPhone. 15 minutes of my time gone to waste which could have been less than a minute via micro-blogging. By the way, if you see errors in spelling, you can blame the small QWERTY virtual keyboard or that damn auto-correct. Blame everything else except for this drunk amateur blogger.

Joke Only!

2011-02-10T16:09:00.004+08:00

Mega Loves... Photoshop

From Shanghai With Love

2010-11-15T23:25:00.004+08:00

November 15, 2010
Lugang Cafe
Connecticut Street,
San Juan

A newly imported restaurant franchise opened its gates in Greenhills recently. Called Lugang Cafe, it had to adapt a different name since their original franchise name was already taken. Titles aside, we decided to give this new Chinese restaurant a try.

Probably, the best Xiao Long Bao I've tasted in the Philippines. Kinda reminds me of Din Tai Fung's famous soup buns. Forget the old Xiao Long Bao of Gloria Maris. Forget Su Zhou. Forget Crystal Jade. This is undoubtedly the best so far.

The Assorted Roast Platter is an array of classic roast dishes like Asado, Duck, Roast Pork, and Jellyfish. It's good but nothing really special.

I loved the White Chicken with Green Onions and Scallions. The succulent chicken meat was complemented by the generous topping of the salty green onions and scallions. A Cantonese style of cooking similar to the Hainanese Chicken but at par to its level of deliciousness.

For dessert, I wanted to try the Pearl Milk Tea but it was not available so I went with the Mango Ice Shaving. It lacked the strong mango flavor but really refreshing. I must admit, I am a sucker for slushes.

Apart from the amazing ambiance and posh interiors, Lugang Cafe boasts a wide variety of dishes close to the Chinese heart. The very heart that can power the restaurant in the best location possible: Greenhills. I can't claim to be an expert on Lugang already since I've only tried a couple of dishes but rest assured that I will be back. Mark my word.

I've Been An Inconsistent Blogger

2010-10-05T20:08:00.003+08:00

Dear Blog,

I know I've been neglecting you and I'm sorry for that. I'm not making excuses but you can blame it all on Facebook and Twitter. Well, mostly twitter nowadays. Been too busy talking to myself.

I will get back to you real soon. I miss you too, you know.

Love,
Oliboy

Little Tokyo Series: Riozen

2010-09-11T23:16:00.006+08:00

September 11, 2010
Riozen
2277 Chino Roces Avenue,
Makati City

Been craving some good, clean, authentic Japanese food lately and so we headed to Makati's Little Tokyo. Walking through the courtyard, you could immediately hear a crowd and smell the freshly made Takoyakis and Yakitoris. Being a lover of these Japanese sidestreet goodies, I wanted to try it out so we asked if we could order from them (Hana) even if we were seated at Riozen. They gladly said yes and we were excited.

Sadly, Riozen didn't have the Uni Sashimi so we ordered it also from Hana. So that's Yakitori, Takoyaki, and Uni from Hana and the rest from Riozen:

Katsu Curry - One of my favorite dishes in any Japanese menu but been eating it so much when I was a kid that I decided to stay away from it for so many years. I've been reminiscing about it and when I heard that this restaurant served one of the best curries, I just had to try it out. Riozen did not fail to step up to the plate. Unmoved from its pedestal, it still served probably the best curry I've tasted in years. Just thinking about it while now makes me salivate onto the keyboard. Pardon me while I wipe the drool from it. The pork cutlet was cooked perfectly but the heart of the dish was the curry sauce. Perfectly made, seasoned, and thick. Tasting it catapulted me to my childhood. A taste I vividly remember. Transporting me to my fondest childhood foodie memory.

Sukiyaki - The soup was a bit on the salty side. The meat was tender but inconsistently cooked. I honestly have had better Sukiyakis than this. Overall, it was just ok and really nothing as magical as I had hoped for after that curry dish.

Mixed Tempura - As an homage to the cuisine, we just had to order some Tempuras. You can't go to a Japanese restaurant without sampling one of these deep friend goodies. Sadly, Riozen's version was also not as good as I had hoped for. The batter was not that tasty compared to the ones we had at Konbini and is pretty normal given that this was Little Tokyo.

One out of three orders is pretty bad for a resto in the so-called "heart" of Japanese cuisine in the Philippines. Again, am I being to meticulous about this kind of cuisine since it is one of my favorites? Have my sampling of really authentic food from Japan heightened the standards of my lowly Filipino palette? In more ways than none, I am happy. Happy that my search is still not over and optimistic that after so many heartbreaks, I can once and for all find the one.

Little Tokyo Series: Hana

2010-09-11T18:15:00.003+08:00

September 11, 2010
Hana
2277 Chino Roces Avenue,
Makati City

There was no Uni Sashimi at Riozen and since we were craving for it, we decided to get it from Hana.

The Uni was really sweet and succulent primarily because of its freshness. Sadly, there were bits of grainy parts. Apart from that, it could have been perfect.

The smell of grilling Yakitori grabbed us by the collar and we got some too.

They were perfectly cooked and generously salted. We asked for the Terriyaki sauce on the side so that it would not have dilapidated the raw flavor of the grilled innards. A bit pricey but awesome nonetheless.

People were talking about Hana as having one of the best Takoyaki so we had to try it.

They were indeed the best Takoyakis I've ever tasted. They were fried perfectly outside but creamy on the inside. The creaminess was not indicative of it being undercooked but of cooking to perfection. We could not get enough of it but were really stuffed with all the food.

Urbandub - First of Summer (iPod Touch Version)

2010-09-09T10:43:00.005+08:00

FUCKING AWESOME!

Excuse my French but this is FUCKING AWESOME!

We Want You!

2010-09-05T02:04:00.006+08:00

September 4, 2010
Army Navy
Glorietta 5, Makati City

The burger was just ok. It's not something you would travel to great lengths for. I mean if you live in the area, this is awesome for the late night munchies. Other than that, I'd stick to my own friendly neighborhood burger joint for my stoner cravings.

The ice tea, on the other hand, is a different story. It is definitely one of a kind and nothing like I've tasted before. Freshly brewed Libertea Iced Tea which can quench the biggest thirsts. This, I would come back for because Army Navy is the only place that serves it exclusively.

Cee Lo Green - Fuck You

2010-09-01T15:42:00.002+08:00

Thought of this so many times but only Cee Lo Green had the balls to say it through music and eventually become the next youtube sensation.

Music is truly the language of the heart. Yes, even a broken one.

Update: After getting 4,214,018 views in just a week, Cee Lo Green releases the official video.

Ramen's Top Dog

2010-08-28T23:24:00.003+08:00

August 28, 2010
Ukkokei Ramen Ron
A. Arnaiz Avenue
Makati City

I feel that my search for the best ramen in town has ended. Unless someone points me to another place, Ukkokei gets my vote as top dog.

Ukkokei Miso Chasyu Ramen

Soup base was amazing. It was thick and robust in flavor. Ironically so much tastier but had less sting on my tongue. The miso-based ramen that I got was like nothing I've tasted before. I would bathe in it if I could.

The noodles was a bit too soggy for me. Personally, I prefer a lot more bite when it comes to my noodles. Imagine cooking cup noodles al dente, that's just the way I want it. The only downside to this dish, in my opinion.

The chasyu was fatty and thick.

I love how everything you would want from a good ramen dish, you could find at Ukkokei. Apart from the noodles, everything was perfect. Reaching the bottom of my bowl, I didn't want my meal to end so we made an additional order but this time with butter and corn. Adding butter to an already perfect dish is like the epitome of excess. Something this perfect definitely will not be good for you. But it was. It was beyond perfect. I swear, I thought I heard angels sing with every spoonful.

Ramenholic

2010-08-20T21:28:00.007+08:00

August 20, 2010
Ramen Bar
Eastwood Mall
Quezon City

The perfect cure for any Ramen craving:

Ramen Bar Special #1

Loved the noodles. They were very plump and had a bite to it. The soup base was tasty but I liked Konbini's better. Vetsin was kinda heavy. The Chasyu was really tender despite being thick.

As of today, Ramen Bar is the second best on my list. Since I've only tried 3, the search continues...

The Secret Ingredient

2010-08-18T22:28:00.008+08:00

August 18, 2010
Balkan Express
Jose Abad Santos Street
San Juan City

In the Yugoslavian film by director Branko Baletić, the Balkan Express was a group of con artists posing as musicians. The restaurant, on the other hand, is nowhere near being a poser.

Balkan Express is a restaurant that recently opened near our place and we were excited to try it out. Coming from the gym, we were definitely hungry. We ordered three of their dishes so that we could get a good sample of their food:

Pljeskavica - Their classic burger. It tasted really good but at first I was surprised by it's rubbery texture. Then I reminded myself that maybe, their version of the hamburger was this way. It tasted a bit peppery which I like and it was very filling. It brought back memories of eating a longganisa burger in Boracay, I don't know why. Not the best burger in the world but not bad at all!

Goulash - Beef stew with noodles. The soup was really soothing and it was coincidental that it was drizzling outside. Very good comfort food although a bit bland to my taste. That little sting of warmth and spice made it perfect in its own little way.

Chicken "Batak" - Grilled chicken with rice. One of their specialties, a juicy grilled boneless chicken with a very generous topping of mozzarella cheese. It's definitely a must try.

Do not get me wrong, the food isn't as mind blowing as one would expect but what it offered was a good combination of Serbian soul food and hospitality. Comfort food which, in my opinion, will truly remain unbeatable.

The dishes reminded me of something I had as a child and I'm not even Eastern European. Maybe that's the thing about all home-cooked meals in the world. Different in flavors, textures, and tastes but united by a single ingredient...

Heart.

Typhoon Crabs

2010-08-12T23:31:00.013+08:00

August 12, 2010
Under The Bridge Spicy Crab
414~424 Jaffe Road
Wan Chai, Hong Kong

The phone rang. It was our friend Mon, who was now based in Hong Kong for work. He told us that we will be having dinner at this "chili crab" restaurant. This immediately sent my brain to an electrical frenzy. Could the "chili crab" he was referring to be the elusive "Typhoon Shelter Crab" we were looking for since watching that No Reservations episode in Hong Kong? I had no qualms about assuming this time. With the slightest possibility of retracing the steps of Anthony Bourdain, we didn't think twice in agreeing to the dinner destination.

(Photo by Aileen Tong)

The sight of the restaurant was like a beautiful sunrise rising from the horizon. The smell was intoxicating. It can, with no exaggeration, lead you to this place even without a map or GPS for the tech-savvy traveler. The restaurant was called the Under the Bridge Spicy Crab and as the name would suggest, it was located under one of Wan Chai's bridges (flyover). The Typhoon Shelter Crab originated from an area in the Hong Kong waters wherein fishermen would take shelter whenever there was a storm. This was sort of like a cove that would protect them from the harsh waters. They would tie the boats together so that it would be able to withstand the strong waves. During the duration of the storm, the easiest thing they could catch was crabs. They cook the crabs in tremendous amounts of chili and garlic to give them heat during the cold stormy nights.

The massive crabs were succulent, fresh, spicy, and garlicky. This single dish overshadowed the rest of the meal. It's so good; you'll forget your name. I promise you. Definitely one of the best crabs I've ever had in my entire life.

The authentic Typhoon Shelter Crab that was cooked on the actual boats in the cove still exists until now. The Under the Bridge Spicy Crab is the urbanized twist on that classic. Luckily, this was one of the favorite restaurants of our friend and he would frequently bring his family and friends to this restaurant. Thank you Mon for dinner and for bringing us to this place. We've always wanted to go to this place. Now we can scratch this off our Hong Kong To-Eat List.

Tempura Madness

2010-08-11T10:48:00.006+08:00

If you like tempura, then I'll go out on a limb and suggest this to you:

Eat-All-You-Can Tempura for P330

Max's opened the floodgates with their promo, and now Saisaki follows suit.

My only wish is that this trend continues... paging the other restos? :)

So on August 26, prepare for WAR!

For more info, you can visit their event page on Facebook here.

Toys For The BIG Boys

2010-08-06T11:28:00.004+08:00

I thought this was crazy weird...
Until I found this...
And this...
WTH right?

You Say Apple, I Say Apol

2010-08-02T11:17:00.006+08:00

This looks vaguely familiar:

China is indeed the best in the World at this: Copying. But I don't think Steve Jobs is really flattered about this imitation. Just waiting for Apple's claws to come out on this. Check the website out if you want some laughs. I don't suggest you buy one from them though but you are free to if you just want to spite Apple and waste a few bucks in the process.

Qingting's website can be found here. Enjoy! :)

Another Cebu Pacific Story

2010-07-21T21:58:00.008+08:00

So here I was still not having learned my lesson and flew Cebu Pacific (International) again. Luckily, this flight went smoothly for me. The airport experience was fast and efficient. And, apart from the usual annoying children, the plane ride was smooth, quick, and painless.

For me that is.

A persistent old lady beside me kept asking for water since she was going to drink her medicine. Well, that was her excuse but give her a break right? She's kinda elderly and was pretty vocal about things. The obvious thing to do was to give her the glass of water she wanted so she'll finally shut up. The smart service crew did completely the opposite. On top of that, she even asked the lady why she needed the water. This service crew might have been moonlighting as a detective with the questioning she had. I mean, the lady just wanted fucking water. For what? TO DRINK, STUPID! If she had only given her the benefit of the doubt and served her the water, I would be writing this entry.

With all this happening, I couldn't help but think that you really get what you pay for. You obtain cheap tickets, you get cheap service. But my question is this, why do PAL Econolight flights AT LEAST offer water? And never did I hear PAL service crew question a passenger of his/her needs. I thought to myself: "You are being selfish about water?!? Why, is there currently a drought?"

In the end, the stewardess gave the old lady the cup of water. But after giving her that hard a time, I was surprised she still accepted it. I felt really sorry for the woman. And believe it or not, when she asked for some more water, another stewardess asked her if she was the one who had already asked for water previously.

With Cebu Pacific, you indeed get what you pay for. But you know, you don't have too. Service should be from the heart and not based on strict policies. Not because the airline's rules on being frugal to "cheap flight" passengers, the least you can you is be human about it.

By the way, if you are appalled by this story. If you feel like vomiting because of disgust. Don't bother asking for a "discomfort bag", they don't even know the term. And to think it's written on the barf bag itself. Sad.

Man Vs Chicken

2010-07-15T15:33:00.013+08:00

In celebration of their 65th year, Max's Restaurant is offering a Chicken-All-You-Can for just Php 165. Today marks the last 3 nights of the promo so hurry now and join the "Man vs Chicken" challenge.

And in the battle between Man and Chicken: Man won 8 pieces to 0. Sarap to the Bones! :)

In other news, scientists have now reached a conclusion on that perennial debate on which came first: the chicken or the egg.

Scientist: We Have Proof That The Chicken Came Before The Egg

"It had long been suspected that the egg came first, but now we have the scientific proof that shows that in fact the chicken came first," says Dr. Colin Freeman, from Sheffield University. Here's the explanation. Updated.

When scientists from Sheffield University and Warwick University used a supercomputer called HECToR to take a close look at egg shells, they discovered that a protein "called ovocledidin-17 (OC-17) acts as a catalyst to speed up the development of the shell." They realized that this protein is crucial to actually forming an egg shell. They also realized that this protein is found in a chicken's ovaries. Based on this, these scientists decided that the chicken must have come before the egg.

They just fail to explain where the chicken came from in the first place.

Article from Gizmodo

Frankly, I don't care which one came before the other. I'm just interested on how they'll taste.

Movie Critique: Unthinkable

2010-07-09T00:18:00.008+08:00

It's been ages since my last movie critique but watching this movie made me want to do one.

If you wanna get your moral compass to go haywire, this is the movie to watch. It's one of those movies that show the skewed perception of right, wrong, and the spaces between. "Intense" and "wild" would be just among the many words that would describe it. It's an awesome watch especially if you caught the one with the alternate ending. Way better!

Get the DVD or download now. A movie I wouldn't watch again anytime soon but one I wouldn't mind being in my collection. And by the way, how this movie went directly to video is beyond me.

Fly With WiFi

2010-07-08T13:44:00.004+08:00

It's time to fly Cathay again with this great news:

Article from Engadget

Cathay Pacific bringing 50Mbps WiFi, live TV and in-flight calling to fleet

Mmm... we like where this is headed. While legacy airlines in America are struggling to outfit their fleets with in-flight WiFi alone, Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways is showing 'em how it's done. The airline has just inked a memorandum of understanding with Panasonic Avionics for the "provision of full broadband connectivity on all Cathay Pacific and Dragonair passenger aircraft." Yeah, you read that correctly -- by early 2012, Cathay will make 50Mbps internet service, in-flight GSM cellphone service (voice, SMS and data) as well as live and pay-per-view television available to every last passenger. The finer details are still being hammered out, and we aren't told whether every single bird in its fleet will be online from Day 1, but we're still as giddy as ever for this to become a reality. Here's hoping this pushes those other airlines into getting with the program, and at the very least, it ought to give you plenty of reason to take that Asian vacation you've been putting off.

Sunlimited Data Roaming

2010-07-06T16:39:00.009+08:00

Here you go data roaming fans, something to try out:

Article from: The News Today

Unlimited data roaming from Sun Cellular

Travelers using Sun Cellular postpaid SIM can now avail use data roaming in more than 100 countries with over 300 roaming partners worldwide.

Sun offers affordable roaming rates and clear connections even abroad, it said in a press release.

Travelers abroad can use unlimited mobile Internet for only P200 per day. Businessmen can check their emails and read the global economic news anytime, anywhere while on their business trips abroad.

Vacationers can keep their families posted with pictures and status updates through Facebook and Twitter while browsing the net for popular tourist spots.

The Unlimited Data Roaming Promo is open to all Sun Cellular postpaid subscribers. Unlimited Roaming is initially available in these countries with the following selected operators: Hong Kong – SmarTone/Vodafone; Indonesia- Excelcomindo (XL); Malaysia – Celcom, Macau – SmarTone; Singapore–M1; Taiwan – Chunghwa. Daily rating begins at 00:0H and ends at 23:59H per day. The P200 fixed rate will apply once roamer has utilized more than or equal to the P200 worth of GPRS transactions abroad.

To avail of the Sun Unlimited Data Roaming Promo, simply activate the International Roaming Services by calling 200 before leaving the country.

The Sun Unlimited Data Roaming Promo is valid from April 16 to July 16, 2010.

Google Doodle: Philippine Independence Day

2010-06-12T00:58:00.004+08:00

Google greets us Pinoys today (June 12, 2010)

a Happy Independence Day with this Google Doodle:

So Awesome! I'm proud to be a Filipino! :)

What Lies Beneath?

2010-06-08T22:42:00.012+08:00

June 8, 2010

Casa Xocolat

B. Gonzales Street,

Katipunan, Quezon City

Got home from a food tasting invitation really satisfied. My stomach literally about to pop from all the sweet and savory dishes that we consumed. For dinner, we were invited by friends of Spanky Enriquez from Manila Boy fame to a not so new and fairly established Xocolat. We know Xocolat from its branch here at Promenade where we frequent and would often sample their delicious hot chocolates. Frankly, I was surprised with the fact that they had other branches in Katipunan, Libis, and Serendra. The whole concept of Xocolat was suddenly new to me. All these years I've known their brand name, this was the only time I got to dive deep into its heart and soul.

We were met by Patricia Avecilla, Marketing Manager of Xocolat. She told us more about the business and the concept of Xocolat. She introduced us to the menu and pointed out the bestsellers. I knew what to order beforehand because of the recommendation by Spanky so I was glad that the same thing we were about to order were indeed their bestsellers:

Xocolat Fries - As an appetizer, this was indeed an eye-opener. A palette jolting juxtaposition of flavors from the salt, cumin, and chocolate cut by the sweet tangy creamy feel of the aioli. It seriously made my taste buds flutter in anticipation.

Cripsy Pork Belly with Cacao Bagoong - How can you go wrong with crispy pork belly? Layers of porky goodness fried crispy and accompanied by a sweet salty concoction of cacao and local bagoong. The sauce was too die for. A perfect blend of flavors that would complement any fried protein beside it. I also loved the heat at the back of my throat from the sauce.

Spicy Chicken - A bit salty in my opinion but that may be because of the powerful flavors from the rub. The sauce was also amazing either over the chicken or the rice. This reminds me of a more savory chicken barbecue combined with the essence of a good adobo. I'm sure Filipinos will love this.

Molten Flourless Xocolat - Amazing dessert. Everything on the plate was great. From the moist cake that offered a bit of texture from the meringue on top. There was crunch at the end of every bite of that decadent cake. The classic hot chocolate was bitter enough to cut the sweetness of the cake. A better brand of vanilla ice cream could have been used to offer a more milky dimension to the whole dish but all in all the dessert was awesome.

Xoco Lava - The drink was pretty refreshing and reminded me of hot chocolate in taste. A perfect blend of sweetness and bitterness. I would have loved it more if it were a bit more creamier but nonetheless it was a really good drink.

Sampling their food was literally an eye opener for me. All the while I've been blinded by the idiotic notion that Xocolat was only a dessert place. Their hot chocolates are to die for but their savory dishes are equally as amazing. Much like life, we sometimes see things in black and white. See things only on the surface which often blinds us from what is truly the heart and soul. A magical thing one should cherish, one should hope to see. Because when you finally see what lies beneath, peace and contentment is not far behind. Good soul food is not far behind.

Techniques

2010-06-02T20:17:00.004+08:00

June 2, 2010

Chateau 1771

Greenbelt 5, Makati City

French Onion Soup

Topped with Gruyere cheese and gratinated until golden brown

The soup was really flavorful and the taste of the beef broth was quite evident and strong. The cooking technique and presentation were pretty basic and by the book which is very important in classic soups like this. I just couldn't get enough of the stringy cheese. Yum!

Slow Cooked Lamb Shank

Lamb shank braised with plum tomatoes, carrots, celery and onion; with mashed potato

The meat was so tender, perfectly cooked, and falling off the bone. The marbling on the shank was clearly visible. An amazing dish full of robust flavor intensified by the slow cooking. The mashed potatoes were also smooth to the tongue and creamy. A perfect accompaniment to the gorgeous lamb shank.

Baked Butterflied Prawns

Stuffed prawns cooked with cream, mushrooms, squash and Parmesan cheese and topped with emmenthal cheese and gratinated; served with sauteed rice

The prawns were a bit tougher than it was supposed to be but what do you expect with baked prawns. The difference was the culmination of the prawns and the ingredients which created a filling that was buttery, creamy, and cheesy. The taste reminded me of baked oysters minus the metallic taste.

The dishes we had showed amazing techniques from the chef through proper cooking and preparation. Knowing basic french techniques is essential to make amazing dishes. Because of these, our food at Chateau 1771 was perfect.

I Will Remember You

2010-05-29T23:29:00.008+08:00

May 29, 2010

Cantinetta

Rockwell, Makati City

I've been to Cantinetta a couple of times but I've never gotten to create a write-up on it. Maybe because the last time I was there, our server did not allow us to take photos of our orders. Good thing they have changed their attitude towards paparazzis like me.

For starters, we had the Proscuitto di Parma con Melone. This order may have stemmed from the experience we had during our L'Opera "dinner" so please pardon our redundancy. The parma ham was not as "melt-in-your-mouth" as the ones we had in L'Opera but what was great about this dish was the fact that they stuck with the classic presentation of this appetizer. As you remember with our parma from L'Opera, there was no melons available thus changing the taste dimension of the plate. Cantinetta stuck with the classic and provided us with an above average serving of one of the best appetizers there is.

The Minestra di Verdure was a bit subpar compared to the minestrones I've had from other establishments. The minestrone from Fazoli's (an almost fast food joint) was more flavorful than this. The soup was a bit watery and lacked punch.

The Angel Hair Promodoro was nothing special and just ok. A bit on the tangy side and again lacking in that extra punch.

The Osso Buco was on the salty side but the bone marrow was amazing! The risotto was not evenly cooked since some parts were a little chewy. Good thing the risotto's blandness complemented the salty protein, if not, this would have been another disaster.

The Ravioli is one of my favorite dishes at Cantinetta. It may not be as perfect a ravioli dish as you would expect but it will forever be my comfort meal there. Mushroom and cheese ravioli with truffle oil is truly heaven sent.

Cantinetta has changed a lot since the last time I was here. Some say for the worse. It's a good thing that I will instead always remember this resto as the place where great friends dine whenever they are in the Rockwell area. A cozy place that needs not representation or introduction. A pretty well-known establishment for good food and fabulous service. I will always remember their steak (we had it before) and the ravioli. The food, the service, the company, I will always remember Cantinetta.

A Beautiful End

2010-05-16T22:00:00.001+08:00

May 16, 2010
L'Opera Ristorante Italiano
The Fort, Taguig City

After that poor excuse for a burger at The Jeepney Cafe, we decided to cleanse our palette with L'Opera's Panna Cotta. Browsing through the menu, our stomachs pointed us to a totally different direction. We were so unsatisfied by the previous meal that we ordered a couple of their hearty appetizers instead:

Fegato D’oca in Letto di Insalate - Probably the best thing ever made into food: Foie Gras. I'd probably eat it everyday if I could. Sadly, the foie gras tonight was a bit overcooked. Looking past that, it's fucking foie gras! How can you not love it?!?

Composizione di Speck Mozzarella e Pomodoro - The speck ham was so thinly sliced that it disappeared each time the heat of your mouth would touch it. The various preserved olives and mozzarella cheese added a different dimension to the dish. It is, as delicious as it looks.

Prosciutto di Parma - A generous serving of melt in your mouth parma ham. We couldn't help but moan after each bite. The only downside to the dish was the fact that melons were not available. It would have been a much better combination instead of the ripe mangoes.

Our appetizer course at L'Opera saved our horrible night. Who would have thought: A perfect end could sometimes be a beautiful beginning.

Worst. Burger. Ever.

2010-05-16T20:00:00.006+08:00

May 16, 2010
The Jeepney Cafe
Intercontinental Manila

Each time the Jeepney Cafe was mentioned, I usually get transported back to my childhood. I remember our annual hotel-hops during Christmas and the Intercon would be our last stop. I remember being fascinated with the decor of the "old" Jeepney Cafe. It used to be filled with jeepney replicas (if not the real thing) that doubles as a dinning area and a child's playground. I remember jumping into the driver's seat, acting out my "driving" skills. It used to be a place of refuge, a place of learning for me. Back then jeepneys were good. Back then I loved them dearly.

Fast forward to today. No more jeepney replicas. No more good food. And I loathe jeepneys.

I remember having one of these and loved it as a child. The classic Grandma's Beef Burger. A recipe that was supposed to be untouched since the 1960s. I did not like it. The recipe has evolved into this unpalatable piece of meat. The burger was tasteless. Moist but very bland. I've had better, tastier burgers in sidestreets than this. It was like my childhood was ripped from within me. I could hear it shatter in little bitty pieces. How can you go wrong with a fucking burger?!? I mean, the only redeeming factor in this whole dish was the fries, the mayonnaise, and the bacon.

Utterly disappointing how things we loved as children seem to always change for the worse. Was it just our innocence back then that tricked us into thinking that everything was nice and dandy? Or was this an evil result of change? In this case, I get why some people are afraid of change. Trust me, I get it now.

Bottarga Pasta

2010-05-15T21:03:00.005+08:00

Saw some Bottarga at one of our local delis and decided to channel my inner Bourdain. He had this during his No Reservations: Sardinia episode and he loved it. He also cooked it for some friends in Provence when they shot an episode there.

Bottarga Pasta

Spaghetti

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Whole Garlic

Chili Flakes

Butter

Bottarga

Salt

Pepper

Cook olive oil, butter, whole garlic, chili flakes and a little bottarga to infuse. Remove whole garlic. Put in cooked pasta. Toss. Add more Bottarga. Season with salt and pepper. Top with more olive oil, bottarga, and basil. Enjoy.

Unchanged By Time

2010-05-15T15:31:00.007+08:00

May 15, 2010
Kuretake
Power Plant Mall, Rockwell

In my opinion, Kuretake has probably one of the best Tuna Sashimi in town. They used to have also the yummiest Salmon Sashimi but quality has deteriorated since the last time I sampled it. The only thing unchanged was the tuna. I don't know how they do it. How they maintain it throughout the years being in this business. Maybe that's why they are one of the few standing restaurants that side of the mall. Many have closed down but Kuretake has remained the best Japanese restaurant in the Power Plant Mall.

(photo by Aileen Tong)

The Tuna Sashimi was as fresh as the first time I tried it. I remember always how the warmth of my mouth melted the meat. I no longer had to chew the damn thing. Try allowing the walls of your mouth to close gently into the meat and you will experience the very thing that I hold dear about this place. The meat tastes really clean and fresh. No fishy taste. No slimy texture. Just perfect unadulterated tuna goodness.

The Uni Sushi was a little bit slimier than usual. Frankly, I've had better tasting uni than this. Don't get me wrong, it was not THAT bad. It was just ok. Then again, uni is uni right? One of the best gifts that the sea can offer so who am I to question this heavenly masterpiece? It was like questioning the air we breathe.

The Sukiyaki was good but not that great. The beef was pretty tasty and the soup was perfectly seasoned. Not to sweet and not to salty. It lacked a bit of punch in my opinion but the sukiyaki soaked beef made it all better. Sukiyaki was, after all, one of the dishes I hold dear to my heart. It was my mom's favorite dish when she was pregnant with me. I was technically eating this even before I was born.

For me, Kuretake has always been and always will be about the Tuna Sashimi. I've expected it to change in time but thankfully, it has not. They say we should never be afraid of change because in change we become better. In this case, it is the opposite. Change is bad. Never change Kuretake. Never change.

Look At What You Have Done

2010-05-11T13:25:00.002+08:00

The Countdown Begins

2010-04-30T11:38:00.008+08:00

10 days before the BEST PRESIDENT EVER gets out of office. It's voting season once again and I really pray that people vote wisely. I don't really care who you vote for since we're in a democracy but I will respect you better if you make an educated vote instead of a vote from your heart. Here are a few reminders though:

Surveys are not important. Don't let your decisions get affected by it. You are not wasting your vote if you vote for a candidate you really like even if you think he/she's gonna lose. Just pick who you really want and stick with it.
The circle is not an egg. You don't really need a noontime show dance group to tell you to fully shade the circle now do you? Do not vote if you think you need the "bilog na hugis itlog" advice.
You can vote "abstain" on any electoral position by leaving it blank. If you don't know who to vote in a specific position, don't just write the first name that you remember. This is not a fucking exam. This is not right minus wrong.
You don't need to vote straight if you don't want to. The partylist voting DOES NOT work in our flawed government system. Don't force it.
Cheating will be involved. It's like death and taxes. It's inevitable. Stop whining about it.

The election season is indeed dark times but it can also be source of hope. It is really up to you. You have the power to change everything. In my case, I really don't care who wins. I'm just happy she's finally out.

Where In The World Is Janet Hsieh?

2010-04-19T21:10:00.004+08:00

Ok. So there I was on the treadmill at the gym and flipped to my usual channel of choice: Discovery Travel & Living. Janet Hsieh was on and to my surprise she was in the Philippines. To the people oblivious of who she is, Janet is a host of her own travel show Fun Taiwan and has been one of my crushes on that channel. The other one being Anthony Bourdain and my man-crush on him. That awesome wit and genius. That straight-forward and no reservations attitude. Anthony Bourdain is just AWESOME.

But I digress.

Janet's H-O-T and I hate that there was no news about her visit. Even in the blogsphere, not a word. I'm truly bummed! Bummed enough to actually blog about it, you see?

Now, to find that episode and download it.

Chili's Annual Burger Day (Year 3)

2010-04-19T16:53:00.002+08:00

This has been an annual thing for me and a couple of my friends.

My 3rd Chili's Annual Burger Day in a row.

Yearly, a bad day to be a cow.

Save the date.

Bacon-Wrapped Lamb Chops On Mushroom And Truffle Risotto

2010-04-17T19:45:00.003+08:00

Bacon-Wrapped Lamb Chops on Mushroom and Truffle Risotto

Lamb Chops

Bacon

Truffle Risotto

Shiitake Mushrooms

Olive Oil

Thyme

Sear lamb chops until near done. Wrap with bacon and cook until desired doneness. Top over slow cooked buttery mushroom and truffle risotto.

Dive Tubbataha: Shark Overload

2010-04-14T15:31:00.003+08:00

April 7-13, 2010
Tubbataha Reef
Sulu Sea, Philippines

4 days, 17 dives, 28 divers, 22 crewmen, 1 boat. Unforgettable.

On Love And Destiny

2010-03-31T22:02:00.008+08:00

March 31, 2010
New Bombay
Podium, Ortigas

I’ve always loved Indian food. Although I’ve never been to India and actually taste their authentic cuisine, I still crave for it often. I mean, I could probably have been Indian when you believe in past lives and such. And that could be the easiest explanation as to why I keep having these insistent cravings. Destiny though, didn’t bring us to New Bombay but intense desire and longing.

Chicken Tandoori is grilled chicken marinated in yogurt and seasoned with masala. It is a bit on the spicy side but the difference with masala is that the spiciness withers quickly compared to curries and chilis. This branch had thinner chicken which meant less meat making it tougher and less tender. It would have been better if the cuts were better. The redeeming factor here would be the taste. The slightly tangy-salty flavor was really good. The cilantro chutney sauce was a fresh accompaniment to the strong spices involved in the grilled chicken.

Palak Paneer was a recommendation of a friend who frequented New Bombay much like I did. The dish is a mix of spinach and curries over paneer cheese. I find similarities between tofu and the paneer cheese because of its texture. The vegetarian dish is not at all spicy and really filling because of the thick sauce. It is great over the Basmati rice we ordered.

Shrimp Malai is probably my favorite dish here in the restaurant. I mean, how can you go wrong with combining shrimp, curry, and coconut milk? It has great heat coming from the curry and the chilis and it’s also an awesome topping for the rice or dipping sauce for the Roti.

Mutton Rogan Josh may sound like someone’s name gone bad but it’s actually a dish gone good. It’s chunks of mutton cooked in oil, curry, yogurt, and spices. Another curry dish but definitely distinct in flavor because of the different meat and cooking method. It was not at all gamy given the mutton and all the tastes and spices blended well together. Different complex flavors in one bowl of creamy goodness.

Rice is ubiquitous in India. One of its varieties and definitely one of my favorites is the Basmati rice. Being known for its long grained qualities, it’s a staple in many Indian meals. A very fragrant rice that adds another flavoring dimension to the meal. It is perfect to top with sauces, curries, and even plain unsalted butter.

Bread is as common as rice in India. The specific bread we ordered was the Buttered Tandoori Roti. It is your basic Roti bread cooked in a tandoori oven and then lathered generously with butter just before serving. My love of butter dictates that anything you lather it with becomes even better that it’s supposed to be. Not denying the Roti from praise, it was perfect with or without the butter. Just kidding butter, you make everything better still…

To wash all this yummy food, I had Lassi. A yogurt-based drink that can come in various flavors but I still prefer that plain one. BUT if Bhang Lassi was offered (and LEGAL), I would have immediately ordered that. For people who don’t know the main ingredient of Bhang Lassi, I suggest you go do your research and google it. It’ll make you smile. I promise. Oh, another addition to my bucket list: Drink Bhang Lassi in Rajasthan.

I'm sure New Bombay is far from the authentic Indian cuisine but I guess this will do for now. Someday I hope I'd be able to visit India and experience its food and culture. I believe destiny will send me there. If not destiny... love. The love of travel. The love of culture. And in this case, my love of Indian food. Love is, in actuality, the main component that provides the fuel for all our actions anyway.

Dive Acacia: Pygmy Seahorse

2010-03-29T16:56:00.002+08:00

March 27, 2010
Acacia Resort and Dive Center
Anilao, Batangas City

My first Pygmy Seahorse.

Globe Run For Home 2010

2010-03-24T15:21:00.008+08:00

March 21, 2010
Ayala Triangle
Makati City

The Globe Run was reportedly the first ever user of the timing chip in the Philippines last year. This year, they were the first to ever hold their running event at the Ayala Triangle and the first to ever have the 15k category in a race. The originality and innovation of their runs makes me look forward to the next.

It was really awesome to be able to run in an urban area for a change. Although the streets were quite narrow because of so many participants, at least it brought a nice change from the clear roads and level running I was used to. It was also my first time running on the flyover (which was a killer, by the way) but really fun.

Official results are out and my time for the 5k improved from the last run. I finished with a gun time of 32'54 and a chip time of 32'25. Mixed emotions though since I wanted it to be under the 30-minute mark but quite elated with my 17-second improvement. Targeting under 30 at the next run (Earth Day Run 2010).

Fellow runners can get their results at the Globe Run's official website.

Ensaymadarrific

2010-03-15T11:42:00.003+08:00

Probably the best Ensaymada in the land.

(photo by Aileen Tong)
Diamond Hotel's Ensaymada

It comes in plain, ham, or ube. But I still like the plain above all.

Fluffy. Cheesy. Buttery. Just the way I like it.

You will never look at another the same way again.

Le Coin Français

2010-03-10T10:00:00.002+08:00

March 6, 2010
The French Corner
Westgate, Alabang

Coming to this restaurant was almost a year in the making. It's not a question of delaying the inevitable but all a result of wrong timing. Tonight, we finally got to try it out.

I was still on my 40-day abstinence from beef so instead of getting a steak, I got the (Seafood) Brown Rice Risotto as my main course. For starters, we got a small portion of Foie Gras and being it a French restaurant, French Onion Soup.

Our appetizer of the Foie Gras with mixed greens and arugula was pretty nice. The goose liver was perfectly seared and yet maintained that creamy delicate texture in the middle. The dressing on the salad was a tad bit on the salty side though.

I only tasted some of the soup since it was beef consommé and I was, like I said a few paragraphs ago, staying away from beef. The broth was a bit bland. Usually, onion soups would be really flavorful because of the stock and herbs. Their version was too watery and lacked punch. Even the melted cheese on top.

The Brown Rice Risotto was my choice for main course. I wanted a dish that I really haven't tried before and this was the closest I could get. I've never really tried brown rice in a restaurant before so I wanted to test their capabilities. Those on a diet are quite familiar with it since it is supposed to be the healthier alternative. I never really liked it though. For me it is both aesthetically and texturally unappetizing. The risotto of The French Corner was a different story all together. Frankly, I never knew brown rice could ever taste this good. The flavors were all sucked by the rice making it really tasty. The texture, surprisingly manageable this time. This is how you prepare brown rice: Unhealthy with lots of butter and meat... Yum!

My meal at French Corner was a bit incomplete because it lacked the "meat factor". Maybe after Lent, I can try it out again this time ordering the dishes with more texture so I can check their cooking methods and techniques. After this first time, we will surely come back for more. Next time free from all of this healthy/abstinence crap... I want my meat!

The 2010 Lenten Sacrifice

2010-02-16T21:57:00.004+08:00

February 16, 2010
22 Prime
Discovery Suites, Ortigas

It is an annual thing that I make a customary sacrifice during the 40 days and 40 nights of Lent. Starting February 17, 2010 (Ash Wednesday), I will not eat any beef. That is my sacrifice for this year.

We decided to spend this last night of beef at a steak place we've always wanted to try: 22 Prime. It is located at the 22nd floor of the Discovery Suites. Service, upon arrival, was impeccable. Our server was really accommodating and polite. That was the first thing we noticed right away but we came for only one thing: The Steak!

The Rib-Eye that we ordered was fairly priced and weighing in at 400 grams. It was definitely not a bad deal. The only problem was that my steak was a bit overdone. I usually have my steaks at medium-rare but they instead gave me a "medium" steak. I mean it was not that bad. A bit tougher as expected and the meat was a bit grainy and stringy. If it were only cooked the way I ordered it to be, it would have surely been amazing. The side of mashed potatoes were to die for. It was creamy, buttery, and very very fine. It literally melted in my mouth. Superb.

Accompanying the steak, I opted for a sampler of their soups. I couldn't decide on which soup to take so we decided to taste all of their available soups via the said sampler. My favorite was their version of the French Onion Soup. It was so good that I wish I had ordered it alone, instead of the whole sampler. My least favorite was the Cream of Cauliflower. I was kinda surprised with it's strong pungent flavor. Not at all what I had imagined it to be. The Lobster Bisque was just alright for me. It was a bit fishy but very very flavorful. A good compromise perhaps but not perfect nonetheless.

A perfect end for a new beginning. 22 Prime will surely make me miss the sweet metallic taste of that perfect steak. A taste that will be absent this Lenten Season.

Early Chinese New Year Dinner

2010-02-12T23:05:00.003+08:00

February 12, 2010
Tao Yuan
Gen. Miguel Malvar Street, Manila

After such a long wait, we finally had a chance to experience what other bloggers continuously rave about. The closest thing you can get to Singaporean Cuisine: Tao Yuan. It wasn't as authentic as I'd hope but it surely didn't disappoint.

Hainanese Chicken - The best in Philippines so far! The meat was really tender. Not as succulent as Singapore's but almost at par. I think this is the most authentic tasting Hainanese Chicken outside Singapore. The drippings were to die for over the Chicken Rice. Definitely, something you will never forget.

Singaporean Chili Crab - The sauce was a bit off key compared to that of the original. It was kinda blander than I had expected and the meat was a bit tough. I think they overcooked the crab a bit. On the other hand, the crab was huge and it was a really filling dish. The accompanying Mantou was excellent with the chili sauce! A little more tweaking is needed, I guess.

Ba Kut Teh - This was the farthest from the normal Ba Kut Teh. It was a bit too peppery for me. The waiter cooked it in front of us and may have placed too much white pepper in it. The stock in itself was a bit strong and seemed like it came from a concentrate or powder. I imagine it coming from a "Ba Kut Teh mix" and the whole dish was a bit too "manufactured" in my opinion.

The dish to come back to Tao Yuan is definitely the chicken. I've tasted the best in Singapore and this has got to be the closest to it. Nothing beats the real thing but if you wanna save on airfare, I think Tao Yuan is perfect for you.

Condura Run 2010 - Run For The Dolphins

2010-02-08T15:44:00.009+08:00

February 7, 2010
The Fort

Being a diver, I've always wanted to join the Condura Run because of its cause to protect the sea and to conserve its creatures. I missed it last year and I sure wasn't going to miss it this 2010. Running for the environment is probably one of my biggest motivators and because it was for the sea, an environment I hold close to my heart, I was intent on joining the Condura Run 2010 - Run for the Dolphins:

Ran 5k and clocked in at 37'27 (unofficially) according to my t1c. Race results just came out: 370th place, clocking in at 32:42 with a 6:33 pace. This was my best time so far and I'm quite happy about it. The goal is to drop it below 30 minutes on the next run.... and maybe go back to 10k.

Official Race Results can be viewed here:
Download PDF 42K Race Results
Download PDF 21K Race Results
Download PDF 10K Race Results
Download PDF 5K Race Results
Download PDF 3K Race Results

Oliboy's Bacon Portobello Monterey-Jack Burger

2010-02-06T22:00:00.000+08:00

Oliboy's Bacon Portobello Monterey-Jack Burger

Burger Buns
Burger Patties (From Bacchus)
Monterey-Jack Cheese
Portobello Mushroom
Air-Dried Bacon
Lettuce
Tomato
Mayonnaise
Crinkle Cut Fries

Grill burgers and portobello. Fry bacon and fries. Slice tomato. Stack everything up nicely. Take photo. Devour.

American Comfort

2010-01-29T22:18:00.007+08:00

January 29, 2010
Mr. Jones
Greenbelt 5, Makati City

People have been raving about this restaurant and so we had to try it. A play on the name "Mr. Jones" would be too expected so instead of doing that, I bring you directly my thoughts on our orders without being too melodramatic and for lack of a better word: "corny".

(Photo Credits: Aileen Tong)

Chocolate Milkshake - It was really creamy but not too much that it gave you a hard time sipping it through the straw. The texture was just right. Sweetness is a factor but it wasn't over the top like other milkshakes I've tasted.

(Photo Credits: Aileen Tong)

Seafood Pasta - The serving was overwhelming. You'd be full just looking at it. The pasta cooked perfectly and the sauce was great. Flavors were infused together and the seafood pretty much tasted fresh. It didn't taste fishy at all.

Fish And Chips - The self-proclaimed "best" was not quite what we had hoped for. The batter was a bit too thick and hard. The meat inside was a little moist but a little too flaky. It may have been overcooked. The best is still at Fish & Co.

(Photo Credits: Aileen Tong)

Eggs Benedict - Probably one of the best eggs I've ever tasted. It offered two types of meat: smoked salmon and double smoked bacon. The salmon was perfect but the bacon was tough. With this dish, you get the best of both worlds. This could even rival reigning Eggs Benedict champion: Apartment 1B.

(Photo Credits: Aileen Tong)

Carbonara - Almost authentic carbonara that used eggs instead of cream. This is evident with the yolk presented to you on top of a mountain of pasta. The dish was really creamy and tasty. I really like it.

(Photo Credits: Aileen Tong)

Tapa Overload - Like the name of the dish, this was indeed an overload of tapa. A little too oily but extremely flavorful. That is why I think that this should be eaten immediately before the oil settles. This factor aside, the dish was absolutely to die for.

Mr. Jones offers American comfort food. The comfort of having something warm in your stomach which is best when you have family and friends to share the whole experience with.

Xavier-Ica Family Fun Run 2010

2010-01-24T13:21:00.004+08:00

January 24, 2010

Xavier School Football Field

San Juan

My second time joining the Xavier-Ica Family Fun Run. This time, I clocked in at an unofficial time of 17 minutes 55 seconds and burned 284 kcal in running 3 kilometers. This was all according to my Suunto t1c.

Thanks Aileen for the watch. Thanks Dar for the photo.

See you on next year's run!

Hawker Frenzy

2010-01-15T13:17:00.009+08:00

January 15, 2010
Maxwell Food Centre
Maxwell Road, Singapore

Before leaving for Singapore, I had plotted this place on my GPS unit. This was definitely a foodtrip waypoint we weren't intending on missing:

Maxwell Food Center is one of the many hawker/food court centers there is in Singapore. It is an escape from your usual Mcdonald's or KFC. A different kind of fast food area that offers affordable eats for the yuppies and people on the go. We arrived at around lunch and the center was packed! It took us a couple of minutes to find a seat for 3. It was very fortunate to have the three of us there: one looked for a table and the other two queued up for orders. There were a lot of different stalls in the food center and following what a good food hunter would do, we went straight to the longest queues:

Tien Tien Hainanese Chicken - The best Hainanese chicken I've ever tasted. The rice was so aromatic and flavorful. The chicken was tender and juicy, not to mention, to die for! I requested for some chicken liver too! Y-U-M-M-Y!

Fried Oysters (Cake) - I like Taiwan's version better. Didn't like the flavor but the dipping sauce was really nice and complemented the cake really well.

Prawn Mee - I liked this dish but my companions didn't. They said it was too fishy for their taste. I thought that it was really good especially the noodles.

Fishball Soup - One of the best I've tasted. The fishballs were really bouncy and the texture was great. The soupbase was really tasty, not at all fishy and pretty refreshing to the palette.

We tried various treats from different stalls but the best meal we had was the chicken. We could have tried each stall if we weren't pressed for time. Next time, definitely!

Oodles For Noodles

2009-12-27T13:00:00.006+08:00

December 27, 2009
Yong-Kang Beef Noodle
Jinshan S. Road, Taipei

Taiwanese-style beef noodle soup is synonymous to Yong-Kang Beef Noodle. It's been a staple for everybody who knows good Taiwan noodles since 1963. Today, we got to taste it for ourselves:

At around lunch, a long line already can be seen outside the restaurant...

For appetizer, we had their famous Fen Zheng Pai Gu, which was steamed pork spareribs and yam mixed with broken rice. It can also be available in pork intestines instead of the usual pork spareribs. I must say that the intestines were better and more flavorful than the spareribs version. The dish had a bit of heat also that perfectly complemented the gamy flavor of the intestines. Indeed, it was something that opened up our palettes for the main dish.

Spareribs

Intestines

The noodles were amazing! I've tasted a lot of really good beef noodles in the Philippines but Yong-Kang was in another level. It was the epitome of authenticity! The noodles were handmade and perfect. The meat and the soup were really flavorful and hearty. Best damn beef noodles I've ever tasted, if I may say so...

Yong-Kang Beef Noodle is truly a Taiwan treasure. You should not miss this when you come visit Taiwan.

Christmas Poem

2009-12-24T20:35:00.004+08:00

'Twas the night before Christmas,

and all through the house,

not a creature was stirring,

not even a mouse...

Happy Holidays! :)

Proudly Pinoy

2009-12-11T10:14:00.005+08:00

3 months ago, I realized how lucky I was to be a Filipino. The unity the Filipinos showed during the time of nationwide tragedy was overwhelming! I was right there smack in the middle of things thinking to myself and believing that there is indeed still hope for the Philippines if we all continue to be as united as we were then. That Filipinos are resilient and they will pull through amidst any challenge. Ninoy Aquino, Efren Peñaflorida Jr. and Manny Pacquiao... Filipino heroes! I was so happy to be a Filipino and to share in the limelight of these amazing people!

3 months after, I don't feel so proud anymore. Presidentiables showboating, Maguindanao Massacre, and Martial Law... how can you be proud of that?!? I don't get it... Don't these people get embarrassed of being the laughing stock of the world? Philippine Politics is a complete joke! A worldwide embarrassment! A circus! The only thing pulling the whole Philippines down as a nation.

Frustrated, I have given up on Politics! That is why I don't vote anymore and don't intend to vote ever! It's just a waste of my time and effort. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Even if you put a decent human being there on the presidential seat... he/she will ultimately get corrupted by power and greed. That's just how the world goes. That's just how things happen. That's human nature. Indeed, everybody wants to change the world but nobody really wants to change themselves.

The Filipino is worth dying for, Ninoy?

Not in these times... I'm sorry!

Wish Come True

2009-11-27T00:17:00.003+08:00

After purchasing 9 "RED CUP" drinks and 8 "STANDARD" drinks for an average of Php 2,000...

We finally got one of the most expensive YEARLY PLANNERS in the WORLD...

Thanks to Nikki Castro, Chris Chung, and Gigi Chung for donating some of their stickers...

Certainly, one Christmas WISH that came true early for us!

The Best In The World

2009-11-21T23:53:00.000+08:00

November 21, 2009

CNT Lechon

Food Choices, Ayala Center Cebu

The best damn (fast food) roast pig in the world!

Cebu's CNT Lechon

I have yet to try the one Anthony Bourdain sampled when he visited the Philippines (presented by Market Manila) but will GLADLY settle with THIS for now...

Ma-Oli Ang Pasko 2009

2009-11-10T16:16:00.003+08:00

The season of Christmas has started...

It's Ma-Oli Ang Pasko once again!

Stay-tuned for upcoming prizes/surprises from Oliboy's Adventures...

Faux Asian Food

2009-11-02T11:03:00.004+08:00

November 1, 2009
Makansutra Asian Food Village
Manila Ocean Park, Manila

5 words: Nothing beats the real thing.

Even after reading mixed reviews on Makansutra, we still decided to give it a try. Frankly, all that hype was for nothing. The only thing good about the experience was the ambiance/design of the place and the pricing.

Having been to Singapore and Malaysia, we decided to try out their specialties:

Teh Tarik - is literally "pulled tea" and I first sampled it when I was in Malaysia. We went to the country's "Little India" to try it in one of those side-street stalls. It was really nice , the tea was strong enough and the combination with the condensed milk was heavenly! What I loved about teh tarik was the frothy texture of the end product which was a result of the pulling process. In Makansutra however, the tea was a bit weak. At least, the mixture was prepared as authentically as possible.

Chicken Rice - the best is a close call between Singapore's and Hong Kong's... Makansutra's, on the other hand, is just so-so. Nothing really special. The only part of the meal that stood out was the rice itself. It was really flavorful and fragrant. That's it!

Ba Kut Teh - didn't taste AT ALL like original Ba Kut Teh. Can you imagine the free soup they give away in mall food courts when you order a sizzling meal? Like that, but worse! I even thought during the meal that they used the same soup base for all their soups here in the "food village".

Chicken Satay - the satay was very tasty but the curry was a bit too runny. We all were unanimous that this was the best dish on our table that night.

Nasi Lemak - was just ok and really far from it's authenticity. The chicken wing was really skinny and the meal looked really unappetizing. Mixing tiny samples of all the ingredients into one spoonful was really good though. It made you experience all the contrasting flavors in the dish in one bite. Individually nothing special but surprisingly nice combined.

Roti Prata - was not at all flat. In fact, it was quite thick. Not really a plus to a dish like this since roti requires the pancakes to be flat and flaky. The curry sauce was also a too runny and lacked the strong curry flavor.

Char Kway Teow - was (pardon the term) a poorman's version of the dish. All the classic ingredients were there but the dish tasted really different from what I had in Malaysia. This one tasted a bit too structured. A bit too "by-the-book". It was stir-fried noodles! When you eat it, the flavors should be all bonded together in one whole mess. This was the magic of true Char Kway Teow. Makansutra's version tasted like sweet soy sauce and it seemed like each ingredient had a world of it's own.

We also sampled some of the Thai cuisine, which was a huge mistake:

Tom Yum Soup - soup base was like the Ba Kut Teh but with a sour and fishy twist. Ordering this was a big waste of money.

Pad Thai - there are better Pad Thais out there than this one. Don't bother with this...

Come to think of it, Makansutra was not a complete waste of time... It was not a complete loss... Being disappointed with their dishes made me realize that I have indeed tried the best during my visits to Singapore and Malaysia. Thus, It is pointless to try it anywhere else...

Macau Series: Egg Tart

2009-10-24T12:39:00.003+08:00

October 24, 2009
Streets Of Macau
(Adjacent to the A-Ma Temple)

When in Macau, you have to sample their famous

Egg Tarts

It's the best you'll ever taste,

I promise.

Hong Kong Series: Hotpot Dinner

2009-10-23T21:29:00.002+08:00

October 23, 2009
He Xing Hotpot (Woosung Street)
Jordan, Hong Kong

This is the favorite hotpot place of our family whenever we would go to Hong Kong. They serve one of the best geoduck sashimi/hotpot in town. 10 of us once ate HKD 3,000 worth of food from this restaurant in one sitting.

The last time we were in Hong Kong, we thought this restaurant had closed down but they told us that they were closed for operations once a week in order to cut costs. Hotpots are usually at their peak during the cold seasons so during the summer, this was how they would lower operating expenses.

We just got off the plane and met with one of my dad's oldest friends so we decided to have a light dinner. The ingredients of our hotpot night were as follows:

Biggest (damn) oyster I've ever seen - This was even bigger than the one we had in Tuen Mun! And I thought the oyster we had then was huge. This time, a piece almost occupied half of the plate. Crazy! I wonder if I'd see an even more gigantic oyster the next time I'm back in Hong Kong.

Lamb - Dad doesn't eat beef so he opted for lamb. Equally as good so I can't complain.

Tofu - For (healthy) protein, we decided on the tofu. It was very good with the soup we had. It added a different dimension to the soup which was in itself already flavorful.

Geoduck Sashimi - The geoduck's snout. It can be eaten raw and dipping it in Kikoman (with Wasabi, of course) or it can be ever so slightly blanched in the boiling hotpot. Eating is raw makes you taste all the natural flavor of the geoduck but blanching it in the hotpot makes it cook al dente. Any which way you prefer, it's still one of the best exotic delicacies found in Hong Kong.

Geoduck Hotpot - Innards of the geoduck that can be found inside the shell. This has too be cooked to kill of any bacteria consumed by the creature. It is almost the same in consistency with the roe of the scallop. The meat is sweet and very tender.

Hotpots are always great, not entirely 100% because of the place, but because of good company. And for a foodie like me, good food + good company is always gonna be a good experience that you will never forget.

Home. Food. Life.

2009-10-17T17:12:00.005+08:00

October 16, 2009
The Frazzled Cook
Luna Mencias Street, Mandaluyong City

The 3 words on the title was what Frazzled Cook was all about. From the minds behind Fat Michael's comes this new restaurant just near my own home. So close that perhaps this can also be my second home.

Peruvian Hotpot - I really loved this dish... it reminded me of that great lamb stew (kaldereta) I tasted from my girlfriend's mom. It was definitely the epitome of home cooking and so was this dish. I liked the essence of the whole dish... how the lamb combined with the rich tomato sauce produced a gamy aftertaste which was really not as bad as it sounds. In fact, it gave personality to a simple dish. The tomato sauce was perfectly seasoned and the spices were really noticeable. The lamb meat was pretty tender and marinated properly. This was my favorite dish of the night.

Wagyu Salpicao - The beef was really tender. I am not exaggerating that the meat was like butter. I never really liked wagyu because of it's acquired flavor but I loved the Wagyu Salpicao at Frazzled. The dish was perfect over the rice but I would have preferred for it to have been plain. The viand was delicious enough and plain rice could have sufficed. I felt like a prodigal son to wagyu with this dish. Coming back to it definitely made me question my abstinence from wagyu...

Lengua - The sauce over the lengua cut was really flavorful. Sure, it needed more body to it but I think it actually served its purpose well. The ox tongue on the other hand was a bit tough for me. My sister liked it for it's bite but I personally prefer my lengua really tender. I would have loved it if it would have melted in my mouth like the Wagyu Salpicao instead of me chewing it.

Frazzled Cook reminded me of one thing: Nothing beats a home cooked meal. And the food was not the only thing homey about the restaurant, it has probably the best dining area I've ever seen. The coziness. The ambience. It was just like home. Chef Jude Mancuyas also went out of the kitchen to chat with us about his love for food and life in general. And yes, he was definitely one frazzled cook.

Typhoon Ondoy

2009-09-26T21:43:00.008+08:00

September 26, 2009

Philippines

Worst flooding in years here in the Philippines.

And it's just signal number 1... the lowest...

Now in the state of calamity.

Mom and my sister are stuck in Marikina City... one of the most flooded cities right at this very moment of posting...

I blame people, I blame us... nature is getting her revenge!

I blame the government... drainage system here is the worst! It hasn't changed in years! It just got worse!

Sad thing is, I can't do anything but wait for the aftermath and try to help in any way I can.

Hopefully, we learn something from this tragedy... Hopefully, we start caring about the environment... Hopefully, we get our drainages fixed... Hopefully...

My Ass' Split Second Of Fame

2009-09-24T15:49:00.005+08:00

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/172728/clearing-the-coast-a-born-to-be-wild-special-coverage

“Clearing the Coast" (A Born to be Wild special coverage)

Episode on September 23, 2009
Wednesday night, after Saksi

Each year in September, groups of people flock to the shores for a common purpose. Wearing shorts and wetsuits and carrying bags and tongs, they head out to the beach – not to swim or sunbathe – but to clean up the coast.

It’s coastal clean up month once again and the “wild boys" are off to another mission. This time, three adventurers hit the eco-trail. Doc Ferds Recio and Kiko Rustia are joined by non-other than fellow “wild man" Romi Garduce for an all-out clean-up of the ocean. Deployed to different coastal areas, they take part in making the seas a little bit cleaner, and a little bit safer for its residents.

They also trace the roots of the coastal problem and investigate the different sources of pollution in the water. What they find are shocking and challenging realities which will continue to threaten our seas long after each clean-up is done.

Don’t miss this special episode of Born to be Wild airing on Wednesday after Saksi!

From the GMA Channel 7 program Born To Be Wild: Clearing The Coast Episode

Dive Acacia: Clean-up 2009

2009-09-14T14:31:00.002+08:00

September 12-13, 2009
Acacia Resort And Dive Center
Anilao, Batangas City

Dive Monsters Inc.,

Project Aware,

Acacia and many other sponsors

just concluded

The International Coastal and Underwater Clean-up 2009

A weekend of giving back to the sea...

Giving back to the environment...

While having fun doing it!

The Aquino Legacy

2009-09-09T09:35:00.006+08:00

They say the number 9 symbolize change.

Today September 9, 2009 (9-9-09), the eldest son of Ninoy and Cory Aquino announced his candidacy for the Philippines' 2010 Election.

I'm a great admirer of the Aquino legacy (except for Kris) but I'm not that big a fan of Noynoy. He really did nothing as a senator. But we all know that he will ride the Aquino name to the presidency and he will win.

I guess I've got nothing to do but hope for the best. Hope that he doesn't become another rat. Hope that he inspires change.

And these questions lie: Who will be seated as the Vice President? Given the track record of the Philippines, that is the most powerful position one can have (after an impeachment). Will Noynoy beat his mother's record for the number of coup attempts? What will Kris Aquino's position be? Will his administration be another Kamag-anak (Relatives) Incorporated like what happened during his mother's administration wherein relatives get all the big contracts/businesses?

Kidding aside, I'm being pessimistic but deep inside I try real hard to still have faith. Faith that this country will eventually be at its potential. I love this country and I want the future generation to be proud of it also. Noynoy, you have the power to make this country great. Don't fail us. The whole country's hope lies on you.

Smash And Run

2009-08-30T16:34:00.005+08:00

August 30, 2009

Greenhills

San Juan

Just got back from a good run around Greenhills for the Smash And Run sponsored by Sun Cellular together with Greenhills Shopping Center for the benefit of the St. John the Baptist Educational and Scholarship Foundation, Inc.

It was nice to see some Vmall tenants and GSC employees join the run but it would have been better if more people had registered. I had an unofficial time of 35 minutes 26 seconds for a 5k run and I'm glad I improved a little bit compared to the last race. The event could have been organized better but at least it was a change in scenery from the usual races at the Fort and UP Diliman.

I can't wait for the next race: the New Balance Power Run at the Fort on September 27, 2009. Hopefully, I'll improve my time once again. See you there! :)

Three Adjectives

2009-08-22T23:02:00.006+08:00

August 22, 2010
The Fireplace and Wine Library
Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila

Beef Carpaccio - Sweet. Delicate. Sensual.

Millionaire's Salad - Fresh. Savory. Elite.

Rib-Eye Steak - Marbled. Tender. Succulent.

Lamb Chops with Ratatouille - Tender. Acidic. Robust.

Chocolate Mousse - Soft. Decadent. Creamy.

One of the best meals I've had in my life. A high-note goes to the salad which was so good and also the carpaccio. Frankly, three words can not fully immerse you into the experience that we had at Fireplace. You have to check it out for yourself.

Snakes On The Plane

2009-08-14T16:49:00.006+08:00

The internet has been abuzz with scandals, million-peso dinners, and corruption...

But is she the only one to blame for the unchanging sad state the Philippines is in?

Or have we forgotten how she got there in the first place...

So vote wisely on May 2010...

Be it for the President, the Vice-President, or anybody in power...

We sure don't need any more snakes on the plane, right?

This Is Keema

2009-08-04T23:00:00.008+08:00

August 4, 2009

Keema Keema

Madison Square Pioneer

Mandaluyong City

It's been a staple on those spontaneous cravings of kebab to immediately proceed to our neighborhood Persian restaurant, Behrouz. In my opinion, they serve the best! Many kebab places have recently sprouted in different areas of the metro but nothing actually compares to Behrouz. Keema Keema is one of the new kebab places out there but instead of concentrating on their kebabs, their speciality is actually their keemas. Keemas are simply unformed kebabs which are sometimes used as fillings but served with rice in Keema Keema. Sadly, they were in the process of rewriting the recipe that the owner suggested not to order it yet, not until they have perfected it. We opted for some shish kebabs, ox brain, and some classic kebabs instead.

Shish Kebab Platter - A very affordable dish when you want to try everything. A smorgasbord of meat. The only downside to this order is that there is no "bottomless" rice included... The best meats here are the Chicken Shish Kebab and the Beef Kebab. The other meats could use a little more adjustments in taste but good nonetheless.

Ox Brain - The favorite dish of the evening. Well, actually my favorite dish in these types of establishments. Tried it once in Behrouz and immediately got hooked. This is amazing with the long-grain rice that they offer. Too bad Keema doesn't offer the long-grain rice in any of its dishes. Ox brain in Keema is kinda different because it is fried almost to a crisp. I personally like it softer and not really crispy. I prefer the more delicate and creamy texture. It tastes better that way.

Beef Kebab - I like Keema's version because the kebab is more formed compared to Behrouz. Behrouz's version is more crumbly which I really don't like. The taste is practically the same and the sauces that accompany it adds that extra punch. Again, the garlic sauce could use a little bit less sweetness for the garlic taste to come out. The rice they could replace with long-grain also to keep up with the overall theme.

Keema Keema was not bad. An affordable alternative to Behrouz. It may not exactly be AS GOOD AS but it was as close as one can possibly hope for. A few more tweaks on the recipes and the perfection of the keema recipe (which we'll try next time) would make this up-and-coming restaurant one of the premier destinations for those late-night alcohol-fueled food-lusts...

At the end of the meal, take one for the road...

They also serve imported beers, FYI! :)

On Unity And Change

2009-08-01T03:18:00.000+08:00

Look at the stars,

Look how they shine for you,
And everything you do,
Yeah they were all yellow...

Your life was an inspiration for democracy...
May your passing inspire UNITY and CHANGE in the Philippines once and for all.

Rest In Peace, Mrs. Cory Aquino
(1933-2009)

Run For Home

2009-07-20T10:51:00.007+08:00

July 19, 2009
The Fort
Taguig City

Run for Home will help fund Habitat For Humanity’s on-going construction of houses in "Bayan Ni Juan in Calauan," a housing relocation site in Brgy. Dayap Calauan, Laguna under the Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig Project of ABS-CBN Foundation.

Run for Home is made possible in cooperation with Ayala Land and Bonifacio Global City, and supported by major sponsors Philippine Star and Adidas, as well as by 100 Plus, Fitness First, Intercontinental Manila, Photovendo and Timex. Run for Home's media partners include ABS-CBN, GMA, Barangay LS 97.1, 99.5RT, Wave 89.1, Monster Radio RX 93.1 and Jam 88.3, and the race is organized by Finish Line Inc.

Probably the most well-organized, most technologically-advanced run I've joined... It featured a timing chip for accurate time readings. So cool! :) It's really a different thing when big companies are sponsors of an event huh?

I did better on this run: 5k at 36 mins 24 secs (UNOFFICIAL)

Update:

Wow! The Globe Run website is awesome! You can easily find race photos and results just by typing your last name or bib number. Click here to see it.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

NAME: Oliver Castro
EVENT: 5 Km Run For Home
DATE: Sunday, July 19, 2009
BIB/DIV: 2806 / M 30-39
TIME: 37m:11s (gun) / 36m:40s (net)
AVERAGE SPEED: 8.2 KpH (5.1 MpH)

The Next Best Thing

2009-07-17T11:19:00.009+08:00

July 16, 2009
Aubergine
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City

The art of cooking. The beauty of presentation. The dining experience...

Creamy Mushroom In Puff Pastry (complimentary)

The appetizer reminded me of the cream of mushroom soup that we usually had canned in the sense of how it was really comforting. This time however, the mushrooms were fresher and the herbs infused made it really haute.

Buffalo Mozzarella, Sliced Parma Ham And Cantaloupe Melon
served with arugula and assorted summer leaves tossed in balsamic dressing

How can you go wrong with mozzarella and parma ham? Well, you can't! That's why the salad we had was to die for. The parma ham and mozzarella were amazing on its own but it steps on to another level when you put everything together. It was like all the different tastes and textures paraded inside my mouth like there was no tomorrow.

Prawn Tagliolini
with zucchini and tomatoes in a light mascarpone cheese sauce

This was one of my favorite dishes of the night. Everything blended perfectly. The pasta was al dente and I loved how it tasted almost like my favorite e-fu noodles. I just love biting into a piece of pasta that has texture and toughness. The prawn was as fresh as it can be and it was cooked consistently and without error. They were also surprisingly abundant in the dish. I remember asking myself: "Fine dining doesn't usually have this much ingredients?" The sauce was also lovely. It had bits of zucchini which was perfect because I was craving for them for quite some time now. It also had this light sweet taste from the mascarpone cheese. This was a pretty unforgettable dish in my book.

Trio Of Grilled Australian Mulwarra Beef Tenderloin, Braised Veal Cheek, And Pan–Seared Duck Foie Gras
with Port wine glace, served with mousseline potatoes and vegetable cassoulet

Two things I liked about this dish was the tenderloin and of course, the foie gras. The beef was really tender and not at all stringy. Can't say it was that perfectly cooked but at least it was not THAT overcooked. Now foie gras (cooked well) is always good. The foie gras we had was not at all different. It was its usual buttery-delicate self, just the way we liked it. On the other hand, the veal was a bit stringy for me. The taste was great but the meat was kinda tough given that it was indeed veal. I guess the trio was just a duo for me...

Warm Chocolate Fondue Cake With Rosemary Ice Cream

The cake pretty amazing. The chocolate syrup oozing out of the warm fondue was a very appetizing sight. The warmth of the cake also contrasted with the frozen homemade ice cream which gave the dessert personality. The rosemary ice cream was a bit weird for us since we were used to rosemary in meats. Every spoon of the ice cream tasted like lamb chops or roast chicken to us. It definitely needs some getting used to but it's good.

After asking for the bill, we were greeted with a small plate of colorful macaroons as sort of like a parting gift. Thanks and complements to the Chef.

Aubergine is no Lolo Dad's but it surely came really close to it. The next best thing, wherein the food was superb and the service, excellent. And did I mention, it's less overpriced and much nearer (for us) compared to Lolo Dad's? After the whole experience, Aubergine is now one of my favorite restaurants in the metro.

Ako Mismo!

2009-07-13T13:45:00.005+08:00

Finally got my Ako Mismo! dog tags...

Thanks love! :)

For my pledge:
Ako Mismo ang gagawa ng mga paraan upang alagaan ang ating kapaligiran at karagatan.

For more info on the Ako Mismo movement visit them at http://akomismo.org

Can A Table Make A Difference?

2009-07-02T22:25:00.007+08:00

July 2, 2009
Mesa
Greenbelt 5, Makati City

Finally got the chance to do the write-up for this resto. Been quite busy with work and microblogging. This is way overdue.

Mesa is a new dining experience from the La Mesa Grill Group in Greenbelt. It is purely a Filipino/Asian inspired restaurant with all the basics. Sometimes they also offer very different and very unique takes on classic Filipino favorites. Like the HANGED Fried Chicken and the FRIED Lechon. Since we were 10+ in the table, we all decided to order for sharing. We just made sure that the viands were a good mix of veggies, meat, seafood, and soup:

Tinapa Spring Roll - A very Filipino take on the classic spring roll. It could have used a little more tinapa (smoked fish) but it was overall very good. I think the smokey flavor gave another dimension to the already perfect roll. The roll was also plated nicely giving it the illusion of quantity and elegance.

Boneless Crispy Pata - This was probably the best dish of the evening. The skin was very crispy but it was not at all bland. It was very tasty and perfectly seasoned. The meat was moist and very tender. They did a good job on this since most of the time, the meat of the pata are usually a tad bit overcooked. Overcooking leaves the meat dry and stringy. Mesa's version was so good it disappeared from our table so fast... Everybody loved it! :)

Baby Squid In Olive Oil And Garlic - Mesa's haute cuisine version of the Adobong Pusit. This was also very flavorful and we could not help but spoon some of the sauce and drippings on top of our rice. The squid were cooked pretty well and consistently all throughout the dish. A nice seafood addition to our great meal...

Until the Pochero got in the way of an almost perfect meal... To put it bluntly, it was weird! Isn't pochero just stewed pork or beef with tomato sauce? How could they have gone wrong with that?!? The soup was a bit too gamey for me... I think it lacked some herbs or spices to at least mask the strong meat flavor.

The night almost ended in failure with the Pochero... Good thing our last dish, the Stone Grilled Shrimps, were amazing. Still alive, they were placed inside the clay pot containing stones that were heated above boiling point. The shrimps were cooked really fresh and thus maintaining its sweetness. They were so perfectly cooked that I personally could not get enough of it. It actually didn't require a dipping sauce to further enhance it. It was far too flavorful in itself.

I don't know how long Mesa has been in the Greenbelt area but I'm glad there is a new Filipino restaurant in town. Finally, another place that offers good food at an affordable price and yet not that commercialized. Some establishments have shifted gears towards the alcohol-fueled public and concentrated more on the number of buckets than the number of plates. Mesa is a breathing space between that and the high-end. A last breath of oxygen for the dying Filipino restaurant.

Imelda's New Shoe

2009-07-02T13:45:00.004+08:00

July 2, 2009
Sofitel

Mrs. Imelda Marcos turned 80 today and as a gift, Mr. Bayani Fernando gave her a pair of custom-made Gibi shoes during her birthday celebration at Sofitel.

It's so cool that this Gibi shoe will now be a part of her huge shoe collection.

I think we have a video of the actual handing over of the gift. Will post it soon once we get a copy.

End Of Season Sale 2009

2009-07-01T09:00:00.000+08:00

TIMBERLAND END OF SEASON SALE!!!

From July 1 to 31, 2009 Only! NO DELAYS AND NO EXTENSIONS!

30-50% Off On Selected Items! :)

Participating Branches:
Shangri-La Plaza Mall (3rd Floor)
SM Cebu North Wing (Ground Floor)
SM Marikina (2nd Floor)
SM Megamall Building B (2nd Floor)
SM North Edsa Annex (2nd Floor)
Amigo Mall - Iloilo
Gaisano City Mall - Iligan

Run For The Forest, Run!

2009-06-28T10:17:00.004+08:00

June 28, 2009
UP Diliman
Quezon City

The 2009 GIG Run. A run for the benifit of the Ipo Watershed Project and the Padyak Project Foundation of the UP Mountaineers.

(L-R) Patrick, Warren, Aileen, and I

5 km in 37 minutes 33 seconds. Will do better on the next run, I promise! :)

Thriller In Manila

2009-06-27T16:50:00.003+08:00

I spotted this guy at the airport on June 26, 2009 (Philippine Time). The same day Michael Jackson passed away. Eerie Coincidence or Personal Tribute?

Rest In Peace, King Of Pop!

Half-y Father's Day

2009-06-21T10:02:00.003+08:00

For every purchase of two (2) REGULAR items, get 50% off on the cheapest item.

Participating Branches:
Shangri-La Plaza Mall (3rd Floor)
SM Cebu North Wing (Ground Floor)
SM Marikina (2nd Floor)
SM Megamall Building B (2nd Floor)
SM North Edsa Annex (2nd Floor)

Promo runs June 19-21, 2009

Thai Patio

2009-06-19T19:54:00.006+08:00

June 19, 2009
Thai Patio
Greenbelt 5, Makati City

One of my favorite cuisines in the world is Thai. I still have yet to try the REAL THING in Thailand but I guess I have to settle for our restaurants here in the Philippines (for now). Hopefully next year, I get the chance to go to Thailand and experience their cuisine firsthand.

Thai Patio is a fairly new restaurant that opened in Greenbelt 5. It caters to the AB Market and reminded me of People Palace minus the dark ambiance. The atmosphere of Patio is a bit more bright and had a more hole-in-the-wall feel to it. Even the design of the kitchen window/divider was likened to hawker carts/shops. The place was pretty modern and minimal with some touches of the classics here and there.

One of the classic dishes is Tom Yum. Their version, however, was a bit TOO classic. The soup had no identity and I personally couldn't figure out if it was sour or bland or what! The serving was a bit small for the price. It was actually ONE serving for a price that could accommodate the whole table. I mean, setting the price issue aside, I expected a more special Tom Yum.

Breaking the normal routine of ordering the basics, we decided to try out the Roasted Duck In Red Curry instead. We were still hungry from that "cup-of-soup-for-two" that we really hoped for the best this time... The duck was very succulent but the cooking was a bit inconsistent. A few duck pieces were a bit tough while the others were cooked perfectly. The roasted duck added a new dimension and flavor to the dish. The red curry sauce was amazing. I love how the sweetness of the sauce was pretty evident amidst the smoky curry flavor. I was surprised at how the duck blended perfectly with curry. This is definitely a must-try at Patio.

Some of our friends ordered Pad Thai so we had a chance to sample some also. Presentation was kinda cool as they placed a net made from eggs over the noodles. A pretty good use of egg plus the waffle maker, don't you think? The Pad Thai was pretty good. Basic, but good.

Eating at Thai Patio made me realize more how important the balance between steep price, good food, and serving size is. I wouldn't mind paying a lot as long as the food is great and (not or) the serving size is ample. I think the restaurant has good food but they should revise their recipes a bit in terms of flavoring and serving size. Being pretty close to rival People's Palace doesn't really help since they have bigger servings there for the same price.

Burrito Heaven

2009-06-02T21:30:00.008+08:00

June 2, 2009
Ristras, Mexican Grill
J. Abad Santos Street, San Juan

We decided to try this newly opened resto by Chef Robby Goco and partners called Ristas, Mexican Grill. Chef Robby is known for his creations like Cyma and Charlie's Grind & Grills. I've been hearing and reading raves about Ristas from fellow bloggers like Fran and Anton so even if Mexican food is not necessarily the healthier option after a round at the gym, we (against better judgement) followed our stomachs instead. Thanks to Philip (manager) for accommodating us and for being a gracious host. He told us which dishes were the ones to order.

Steak Burrito - The meat was really tender and was not stringy. The serving was really big and the burrito itself was jam-packed with other fixins. The initial thing I liked about the burrito was the fact that you could choose what you actually put inside your meal. Having control over your dish is a pretty good thing, since people are very particular with specific ingredients inside the burrito like beans and/or jalepeños.

The burrito was their best seller and now I know why. It was best I've ever tasted, even surpassing Zapatas. As I experienced every bite of my order, I thought to myself: At least, I don't need to go to Pampanga anymore to get some good Mexican food. Every bite seemed better and better, the burrito had so much complex and contrasting flavors. It was really an explosion of flavors in one dish.

Soft Tacos with (1) Chicken, (2) Carnitas, and (3) Barbacoa - The soft taco was amazing. The Carnitas (pork) and Barbacoa (beef) had pretty strong flavors compared to the mild Chicken. This may be the main reason why I liked the Chicken more because it absorbed the other ingredients from the taco instead of changing the dimension of the taco, overshadowing its overall flavor. Generally, it was a good sampling of the soft tacos and I wouldn't mind ordering it again. Next time I'm ordering ALL chicken! :)

I was really hoping to find some fish tacos though but unfortunately it wasn't part of the menu. Fish tacos are a classic in Mexico. Maybe they can have some here at Ristras next time, what do you think?

Albondigas Soup - Their version of a classic soup dish was very very good! It was very hearty and flavorful. The meatballs were amazing and excellently prepared. As I sampled the soup, I couldn't help but feel comfort from it. The timing was perfect. Nothing beats sipping on some warm and hearty soup on a cold and rainy night.

This new creation of Chef Robby is really sort of a Mexican taco/burrito bar that really requires no complex descriptions. It is as straightforward and direct as it sounds. Currently on their soft opening, the service is impeccable and the food great. Keeping it as straightforward and direct myself, Ristas definitely holds the record as the biggest, baddest, best burrito I've ever tasted!

Bicol Specialties

2009-06-02T16:52:00.004+08:00

Thanks to friends Jarvey Belo (not related to Vicki, FYI) and Ann Benwick for the

Sizzling Hot Bicol Express

Oh La La Laing

They got us from their Bicol trip. It was Y-U-M-M-Y!

Autoreview Run

2009-05-24T10:00:00.003+08:00

May 24, 2009
Mckinley Hill
Taguig City

3rd Auto Review Run for Road Safety & Courtesy.

Finished an hour plus plus. Very bad time.

First Time On The First Anniversary

2009-05-22T17:19:00.004+08:00

May 16-17, 2009

Bacolod City

First time for the both of us in Bacolod, the land of Chicken Inasal and Kansi. A beautiful place with a tremendously rich history (literally). The land of smiles and of beautiful people both inside and out...

Other photos can be found here.