tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5446225941719659502024-02-20T18:38:50.826+08:00nicknamed cheeneeall the F's in the world!cheeneeD.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17578358974875402869noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-544622594171965950.post-52350715809904104002012-11-10T10:46:00.000+08:002012-11-10T17:16:47.273+08:00A Break From My Sedentary Lifestyle<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjVIHaPLvgPGRE5XrNS5yN9wYacjoUISlpcw4HZr8SM9_V23i0nOjmzrMGFg8cJrNKoxXu9k6saX-FgV11ao2qplInbiAFs8jzmEsyVqfTnEZdwLojB-Xpl_vozRbLOum4w5HuiDH5Vs/s1600/IMG_1948+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjVIHaPLvgPGRE5XrNS5yN9wYacjoUISlpcw4HZr8SM9_V23i0nOjmzrMGFg8cJrNKoxXu9k6saX-FgV11ao2qplInbiAFs8jzmEsyVqfTnEZdwLojB-Xpl_vozRbLOum4w5HuiDH5Vs/s400/IMG_1948+copy.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fine Saturday morning to go out and sweat.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; text-align: justify;">I
did a pretty good job at pretending that I also have a long weekend. Why not? My
shift ended at two in the afternoon on Novembers 1 and 2 so I had the rest of
the day to catch up with the holidays. Instead of going home to my dorm, I went
home to Taguig every afternoon. After the “</span><u style="font-family: Arial; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://nicknamedcheenee.blogspot.com/2012/11/grilled-ribs-and-long-weekend.html">Halloween party</a></u><span style="font-family: Arial; text-align: justify;">” on October
31, we spent the afternoon of November 1 shopping for Christmas decors. And
although there was not much action on November 2, I was well-rested for another
day full of firsts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">First
on the list is the morning walk/jog/picture taking in Mall of Asia. Although we
usually spent our weekends there before the R’s transferred from Cavite to
Taguig, I haven’t been to MOA to exercise. We walked and jogged from the side
of 1Esplanade until the row of MOA’s seaside restaurants ended, then crossed to
the mall’s side and walked all the way back to the Prism Plaza where the car
was parked. My cousins, Baby R and Lyle, showed off their hula hoop skills
while I just enjoyed absorbing the morning sun (since I have no hula hoop
skills to show off).</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I could not resist but have a picture with the beautiful sky and the MOA Eye.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby R can pose for the camera while keeping her hula hoop alive.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We need to get rid of our muffins. LOL!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The
cyclists, hard core joggers, and families who just wanted to be out on a nice
Saturday morning gave me and my sedentary lifestyle a different energy and a
happy aura. Plus my sun-kissed cheeks gave me good vibes all throughout the
day.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Raiza (Baby R), and Lyle</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Next
on the list is the Ratatouille and Mozzarella Cheese sandwich from Starbucks- Blue Wave.
I am madly in love with gourmet sandwiches that I actually think I can survive
without rice. So, I traded off a McDonald’s breakfast (yeah, I love anything
from McDo) for a hearty gourmet sandwich and my favorite Christmas flavor from
Starbucks— Dark Cherry Mocha.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Ratatouille and Mozzarella Cheese Sandwich</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">What
I had in my mind was their P165 sandwiches but chose the Ratatouille and Mozzarella Cheese sandwich instead because I have never tasted one, it was way
cheaper at P115, and it was the healthier choice. Packed between<span style="background: white; color: #111111;"> multigrain breads is a savory blend of
cheese, spinach, tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, portobello and shiitake
mushrooms, garlic, and onions. If veggies are always cooked this good, every
carnivore might go vegan in a snap. The Ratatouille and Mozzarella sandwich is
one of Starbucks’ Breakfast Sandwiches launched last September 11.</span> The
line includes Breakfast Tapa and Egg with Garlic Mayonnaise on dark whole wheat
bread, Forest Ham, Egg White and Gouda Cheese on oat bread, Spam® Black Pepper,
Egg and Cheddar Cheese on cornmeal bread all at P115 each.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sandwich and their Corned Beef Pandesal</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Last on the
list is the trip to Cash and Carry along Buendia. After buying something for
the bath room in Wilcon, we headed to this mall along Buendia in Makati famous
for its imported goods to buy Baby R’s lotion. Though my nose was not impressed
by the overwhelming perfume scents, Cash and Carry got my heart and revived a
long forgotten infatuation with Nike bags. <b>I think that would be a nice
Christmas present. EHEM! EHEM!</b> [HAHAHA] <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New York's Finest is my favorite Yellow Cab pizza.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">We capped our
busy morning with a lunch at Yellow Cab. The R’s and Lyle headed home while I
went back to Quezon City revved up for an eight-hour shift. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Speaking of
taking a break from my sedentary lifestyle, I mentioned before that <u><a href="http://nicknamedcheenee.blogspot.com/2012/09/my-not-so-new-running-shoes.html">an officemate signed me up to play volleyball</a></u> for the Kapamilya Basketball and
Volleyball Tournament. <span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">W</span>e
just played our last game and ended with (I think) a 2-3 win-loss record. I had
fun playing! </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tEyPxttJ7nBJ7VkGRapTOgsC1kp8629wqidb2pV4M2VmbmaZe3CDKK_hWZdsE3nIsY1OmYeRXhOildmU4scFQ_7p8IRfcguytYZL4OQ8YO86LsDKpOEWYKlid4OnhFiGbpcZ4RlRv6Y/s1600/560408_10151206886187402_101466897_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tEyPxttJ7nBJ7VkGRapTOgsC1kp8629wqidb2pV4M2VmbmaZe3CDKK_hWZdsE3nIsY1OmYeRXhOildmU4scFQ_7p8IRfcguytYZL4OQ8YO86LsDKpOEWYKlid4OnhFiGbpcZ4RlRv6Y/s400/560408_10151206886187402_101466897_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The incomplete team MRD. ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListBullet" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I hope I can
post something like “A Break From My Active Lifestyle” soon. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoJp33pdeZtLcf7TZtVjIxLPJU84wKemUFXzZ9ReAbWQuhP7CENxRF9LbpvGkhEr1XMadCGpsnvZ0vJsiV1IAB29-GPVa_Ix9XtH5bQ3OZr7WjuCIaVbvs1rgY9UwJvKQH7jYwmuk278/s1600/love%252C+cheenee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoJp33pdeZtLcf7TZtVjIxLPJU84wKemUFXzZ9ReAbWQuhP7CENxRF9LbpvGkhEr1XMadCGpsnvZ0vJsiV1IAB29-GPVa_Ix9XtH5bQ3OZr7WjuCIaVbvs1rgY9UwJvKQH7jYwmuk278/s1600/love%252C+cheenee.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><br /></span></div>
cheeneeD.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17578358974875402869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-544622594171965950.post-19800066421470725672012-11-09T10:33:00.000+08:002012-11-09T10:34:36.107+08:00Grilled Ribs and The Long Weekend<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1U2SAWjgIdE9uBSv1qot2yqRhOQudplOF9tGkHZzD3-j-ZiGdz9QYuO8vxpBV7n31c8vLWDPqLEmt7wJlE5O4gr8VsVLzF1V-mUCnpIKVq0-ZbM_ZY6MaVDetfIXdhvyaQ-NaMUvX4Q/s1600/Promising+Rub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1U2SAWjgIdE9uBSv1qot2yqRhOQudplOF9tGkHZzD3-j-ZiGdz9QYuO8vxpBV7n31c8vLWDPqLEmt7wJlE5O4gr8VsVLzF1V-mUCnpIKVq0-ZbM_ZY6MaVDetfIXdhvyaQ-NaMUvX4Q/s320/Promising+Rub.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These ribs are ready for grilling.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I
belong to an industry that is irreverent of holidays. Unless you are among the </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">privileged demigods or just lucky that a holiday falls on your day off, there
is really not much of a choice but to work and command your mind to think of better things like double pay (if it is); no bosses (if they are good enough not to
show up); and a lighter work load (though not guaranteed). But for someone like
me who would rather bask in the sun, play in the shores, be home with my family
or be somewhere else with my friends than be stuck inside a claustrophobic’s
nightmare, no amount of positive thinking could keep my mind from wandering,
wondering what my family or friends have been up to.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">One
effective way of distracting myself is by creating activities which do not
require me from being absent. I know it will never be at par with other
people’s trip home or out-of-town/country getaway, but at least I won’t kill
myself in bed, thinking of the fun everyone is having except me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Since
November 31st fell on my day off, I decided to stay with the R’s for a
“Halloween party.” Don’t get me wrong. We did not have decors or costumes at
home. We just had dinner and watched “The Healing”. To that Baby R commented:
Is this it? Is this already a Halloween party? [</span>HAHAHA<span style="font-family: Arial;">] I couldn't blame the
kid. She was already disappointed because she prepared </span>goodie<span style="font-family: Arial;"> bags but the
children who went trick or treating seemed tired to go all the way to the fifth
floor. Anyway, at least I didn't have to deal with my wild imagination alone in
my dorm and I had the chance to play in the kitchen again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Tita
R wanted to have baby back ribs and, of course, carbonara. I had no idea how to
grill ribs but I wanted the meat succulent and the flavor bursting just like Rub
Ribs’ or Kenny Rogers’. Since I have limited myself to cooking pasta and
anything that can be coated with Japanese breading and deep-fried, I had to tap
whatever I have learned from watching cooking shows and reading cook books. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNp8fXra5P1_u3JUDMTXfdZf-dw2NqC3bvFKSmN87lNSol8a82O8UIF6rz1zDnI4FCzc07DicW55iKWZfK4bUtqtVddQvvTk4OdANuqwKLoM2WfU67TeoRAIx2zb5Flp_2ZRAj9fJruM/s1600/thin+membrane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNp8fXra5P1_u3JUDMTXfdZf-dw2NqC3bvFKSmN87lNSol8a82O8UIF6rz1zDnI4FCzc07DicW55iKWZfK4bUtqtVddQvvTk4OdANuqwKLoM2WfU67TeoRAIx2zb5Flp_2ZRAj9fJruM/s640/thin+membrane.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is advisable that the thin membrane on the back of the ribs be removed so the flavors can seep through the meat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">From
a show on Asian Food Channel (AFC), I learned that marinades do not necessarily
mean liquid. They can be dry spices rubbed on the meat. So, I went to the
condiments section and spent around 30 minutes checking the spices and other liquid seasonings. I ended up getting thyme and cumin because I often hear them from
celebrity chefs. To make sure that I’d cook something close to a barbecue, I
picked a packet of dry barbecue spices and a bottle of Mama Sita’s barbecue
marinade. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhVmX94smUgsPHoial6KsVpqBzcaLTnR5g7T3-PZRVvxQoSDfpvADFvIK12CSTATyza3r71aq64LwKT0k-oqhNiwck43vnfXMcTE5PAHDB3zk9NHu35e8t-Yr4fpG_Ot_u3peFzS-2Hk/s1600/the+rub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhVmX94smUgsPHoial6KsVpqBzcaLTnR5g7T3-PZRVvxQoSDfpvADFvIK12CSTATyza3r71aq64LwKT0k-oqhNiwck43vnfXMcTE5PAHDB3zk9NHu35e8t-Yr4fpG_Ot_u3peFzS-2Hk/s640/the+rub.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bowl of dry rub is almost empty here. (:</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I
emptied the packet of barbecue spices, mixed in half a packet of cumin and
paprika. I added salt and pepper because... well, I just thought of it. I also
added some thyme. Honestly, I had no idea what I was doing. I just rubbed the
spices on the meat and satisfied myself with the delicious smell. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">In
a separate bowl, I emptied half of the Mama Sita’s barbecue marinade and added
salt, pepper and thyme. I got addicted to the fresh smell of thyme so I just
added it there. I also mixed around two spoons of ketchup because I was hoping
that it will give my ribs a nice red color. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzavYjZIAlkDp2fY6VrThsv-t-w512XGY1HQALnF65Z9mzh17T8DL9-X_Q4QsUeVxjvscFIKxDpU4HFZjGU4YuVKDyOFUQk2Qle3XodwDupDl5IWVtZ1mpLsZUekEPC-D1_vF76qO5SE/s1600/raw+ribs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzavYjZIAlkDp2fY6VrThsv-t-w512XGY1HQALnF65Z9mzh17T8DL9-X_Q4QsUeVxjvscFIKxDpU4HFZjGU4YuVKDyOFUQk2Qle3XodwDupDl5IWVtZ1mpLsZUekEPC-D1_vF76qO5SE/s640/raw+ribs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From this nice pinkish color...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrgR3eigCZ7V9ZbmOnGOttmlKRqBl3znPUW6X4V6BcfOMQAJglGaTQyqPA0MQkjrEpFLhuTNttcX943oor7anevEB4vDjEfyJCqV3IXbMqDP9O5wyZT7v4fpVdEkOrrCdTAdMnf5pLV4/s1600/Ribs+with+dry+rub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrgR3eigCZ7V9ZbmOnGOttmlKRqBl3znPUW6X4V6BcfOMQAJglGaTQyqPA0MQkjrEpFLhuTNttcX943oor7anevEB4vDjEfyJCqV3IXbMqDP9O5wyZT7v4fpVdEkOrrCdTAdMnf5pLV4/s640/Ribs+with+dry+rub.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...to this inviting reddish brown hue.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">That’s
the beauty of playing in the kitchen. You do not know what you’re doing and how
your food will taste like but you do it anyway because your better judgement
tells you to do so. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">After
two hours, I was already ready to grill. My dry rub was promising. It gave the
meat a nice redness to it and a </span>delish<span style="font-family: Arial;"> smell. The problem was I had no idea how
to check if the meat was already cooked. I was restless and excited that I kept
on turning the ribs over and basting it with my concoction of Mama Sita’s.
After around 45 minutes of grilling, I was so disappointed to see that the meat
on the edges of the ribs were still raw that I let </span>Tita<span style="font-family: Arial;"> R, who already arrived
from work, and the maid continue grilling for me. They sliced each rib apart so
it would cook through. If I had a choice, though, I would still want it served
in a slab. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshRSTD7BTKjGYOp423hskiXbrXwFfV2o4bW_YRMxi7AVDGFav7m-K47qqwTUntrfGU_FAlb7Kup-MOvR0PLxy1vgidlIUWxfE2ceEhQJjKenGm3_8HmNZPM8gBLEJGLBNCYgFhEgglxE/s1600/grilling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshRSTD7BTKjGYOp423hskiXbrXwFfV2o4bW_YRMxi7AVDGFav7m-K47qqwTUntrfGU_FAlb7Kup-MOvR0PLxy1vgidlIUWxfE2ceEhQJjKenGm3_8HmNZPM8gBLEJGLBNCYgFhEgglxE/s640/grilling.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the grill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The
fragrance of the ribs made me forget my disappointment. The flavor was
something reminiscent of Middle Eastern and Thai food. Maybe, it was because of
the barbecue spices that I used as base for the dry rub. Though it was not
really as juicy and as fall-off-the-bone as I wanted it to be, it was not too
bad for a first. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHe-lu_xW7YtmD9oYa4nqwt2QmsrYvzXUBgDfvxEN-cGW2ZXWEZ9myeRKM-6IbxjULeAEobRzxD8HV3ggm_uSIkqZtlkrPg3sN7woVP8C4Dm3KT_fCFQLc1v47SnUjaykPrZ05keNqgdQ/s1600/grilled+ribs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHe-lu_xW7YtmD9oYa4nqwt2QmsrYvzXUBgDfvxEN-cGW2ZXWEZ9myeRKM-6IbxjULeAEobRzxD8HV3ggm_uSIkqZtlkrPg3sN7woVP8C4Dm3KT_fCFQLc1v47SnUjaykPrZ05keNqgdQ/s640/grilled+ribs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ribs may have blackened but, surprisingly, they did not taste bitter at all. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">After
dinner, I gave each of us a piece of Halloween-themed sugar cookie which I
bought from Max’s for P25. I wanted to have the Halloween doughnuts of Krispy
Kreme but it was over my budget so I bought these cuties instead. They look
hard but they are actually soft and chewy. I chose the ghost sugar cookie because
it reminded me of Casper. (Hashtag 90’s kid.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FjrUPHhcaZMrN5UnZO933Zxki9mUMsbgCf4g1baZ-3QQvwrzJkh_26ZKPgfN89eQLbENDLfGjaMPo8C_ZCGaxOW8fYKFOYLS8KJjyhAR-giv7XHVxOtz2dvWMnqGBrFyeHbkzA0m6b0/s1600/sugar+cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FjrUPHhcaZMrN5UnZO933Zxki9mUMsbgCf4g1baZ-3QQvwrzJkh_26ZKPgfN89eQLbENDLfGjaMPo8C_ZCGaxOW8fYKFOYLS8KJjyhAR-giv7XHVxOtz2dvWMnqGBrFyeHbkzA0m6b0/s640/sugar+cookies.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our not-so-scary Halloween-themed sugar cookies.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFIGk4sH0a9HwQ0smgSeQbUx8Qm04NcPKM86YGg1Clm8X9ltVWdBeH8KzqEdDzDWtcbgz90flfg_Tl3lYzL1jlgftbozul1Batw7icEr-IjOvVDfEcvpQbs0Mogy4oIA4dQrrAhASu-8/s1600/cracking+ghost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFIGk4sH0a9HwQ0smgSeQbUx8Qm04NcPKM86YGg1Clm8X9ltVWdBeH8KzqEdDzDWtcbgz90flfg_Tl3lYzL1jlgftbozul1Batw7icEr-IjOvVDfEcvpQbs0Mogy4oIA4dQrrAhASu-8/s640/cracking+ghost.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Help! I'm cracking!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh774InFf8aMm2S-ocCzFOaOq_dzsRxJ82L08Wf6dXEcnCaF7YzGYredaHlYtMblcvy8WqaqwneV_z3Io8TjLNto8mR4UUDeUdhybY7eZ7bQg7edFh8ZC0g_tA9I0TCfXSOwX03xhs3lZI/s1600/head+of+ghost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh774InFf8aMm2S-ocCzFOaOq_dzsRxJ82L08Wf6dXEcnCaF7YzGYredaHlYtMblcvy8WqaqwneV_z3Io8TjLNto8mR4UUDeUdhybY7eZ7bQg7edFh8ZC0g_tA9I0TCfXSOwX03xhs3lZI/s640/head+of+ghost.jpg" width="442" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now, you're scary. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">*** </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I
have to remind myself always that having something new to do is really up to
myself. Sure I’d love to go on a vacation but if time and funds (and the boss)
do not permit, it’s my choice whether to enjoy whatever I can do or stare
at the ceiling and waste my time and energy over bitter thoughts. This I have
to remind myself every hour. [HAHA]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">As
for my new recipe, I think I still have to cook more of it to learn the tricks
to a fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs. But I really don’t mind as long as I’m
able to nibble the last flavors off the ribs every time I cook it. And
hopefully, I can have more time to play in the kitchen! </span><br />
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cheeneeD.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17578358974875402869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-544622594171965950.post-19280887309243378232012-10-16T04:03:00.001+08:002012-10-16T04:11:59.742+08:00Savory Discovery from Mann Yann<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJxOg1wcpJFAlHNPTeEDZTzAoIvS8AmtoRzqP_USkTKd45HVUsFd2itEmA34bKW-A5-SmlZcqYZJdbgSsVl8yuwumr9rQvD0MgbR0vXT3xjabRT4ATCdHIzlFaiK3ztqDsNyKPRUDer8/s1600/Mann+Yann+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJxOg1wcpJFAlHNPTeEDZTzAoIvS8AmtoRzqP_USkTKd45HVUsFd2itEmA34bKW-A5-SmlZcqYZJdbgSsVl8yuwumr9rQvD0MgbR0vXT3xjabRT4ATCdHIzlFaiK3ztqDsNyKPRUDer8/s640/Mann+Yann+logo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The
days are headed towards the end of 2012 and I have nothing better to do but browse the photos that have accumulated in my
hard drive throughout the year. I have not been too keen on documenting
everything this year unlike the previous year. I don’t even see much random “artistic”
shots unlike last year. Some photos even remain "un-uploaded". No matter how few [note:
few here is very subjective (wink) ], I think I have snapshots of memorable
occasions and of food that have impressed me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">One
album that caught my attention was our dinner in Mann Yann at The Link in Makati. I am pretty sure
that it was in Mann Hann and not Mann Yann that I have been to before though the
latter is familiar because we used to pass by its branch in Glorietta 1 before
it was closed for renovation following the Glorietta 2 </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">explosion </span> in 2007. But I guess these restaurants, plus Mannang, are owned by the same company. Whether I have been there or not, what’s important is that this year’s visit to
Mann Yann left me with a fond memory of a new dish. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Mann
Yann is your typical Chinese restaurant with a typical Chinese menu of dim sum, pork, seafood, and rice. And since we were in a typical Chinese
restaurant, we ordered these as usual:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Beef
and Broccoli<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRe1kn2xeNJT1FRjKy3gQDQWd_Gr6yB7uz0VftQKdk1FMlgvZwyaFEyQXg2f4OOMhMpsggNJq1KluGhm0qDRiN80C9OpfQjQQSsTbNh2SDp5zIdH_yhdOtzFyLtQsqs2YrSmOWJ8nbMw/s1600/Beef+and+Broccoli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRe1kn2xeNJT1FRjKy3gQDQWd_Gr6yB7uz0VftQKdk1FMlgvZwyaFEyQXg2f4OOMhMpsggNJq1KluGhm0qDRiN80C9OpfQjQQSsTbNh2SDp5zIdH_yhdOtzFyLtQsqs2YrSmOWJ8nbMw/s640/Beef+and+Broccoli.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This
mildly sweet beef and broccoli tastes like any other good beef and broccoli
with tender meat, crisp broccoli flowers, and thick sauce that went well with
the Yang Chow fried rice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Shrimp
Tempura<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_eZgTKm4VXHCm74sNmv_q-edbORbG_fPYG_C3spVg7JAspAz5FFpRXbEQyAY803ts_d-PVi37pB0N1GJEDuocJFEkx3wM7gSigwl5p7G6uPniFrV8WWrX2mckKrQoeZgk4MGrGq_Wbb8/s1600/Tempura.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_eZgTKm4VXHCm74sNmv_q-edbORbG_fPYG_C3spVg7JAspAz5FFpRXbEQyAY803ts_d-PVi37pB0N1GJEDuocJFEkx3wM7gSigwl5p7G6uPniFrV8WWrX2mckKrQoeZgk4MGrGq_Wbb8/s640/Tempura.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">How
can tempura not be a staple? It’s one of the few food Baby R loves! And just like
any other tempura she loves, Mann Yann’s is also fried to an enjoyable
crispness but leaves the shrimps perfectly cook— neither too tender nor tough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPvpzFITP-lJOqt2Z2Bq_SuY1TDw2Tjn2ykHbkvHjP_j_vfG4Bnp7bOb6LJFIBdJstvoDRYi3LTZtWH6IbaI-_nL5_9h9S5wuTPX-hCWqMRwiHuspKDW7hyphenhyphenZtLSc5pAK1Q9tnc6Q86UE/s1600/Raiza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPvpzFITP-lJOqt2Z2Bq_SuY1TDw2Tjn2ykHbkvHjP_j_vfG4Bnp7bOb6LJFIBdJstvoDRYi3LTZtWH6IbaI-_nL5_9h9S5wuTPX-hCWqMRwiHuspKDW7hyphenhyphenZtLSc5pAK1Q9tnc6Q86UE/s640/Raiza.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby R's eyes say how much she loves her tempura. I think that's her third piece alredy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Yang
Chow Fried Rice<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZKnhnd_aMvwFwd48bgcseEV9D5sPGDqh5bYXvev9xd2gE16T6Ji0YGOPr7p1Z2gMW_L6ofExK4FecLtdoNeWPHK5eIaDmqtQHMabDnmTYlg2rmFAU9CswmusSxEyCaZuQ_qg1lDi6tE/s1600/Yang+Chow+Rice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZKnhnd_aMvwFwd48bgcseEV9D5sPGDqh5bYXvev9xd2gE16T6Ji0YGOPr7p1Z2gMW_L6ofExK4FecLtdoNeWPHK5eIaDmqtQHMabDnmTYlg2rmFAU9CswmusSxEyCaZuQ_qg1lDi6tE/s640/Yang+Chow+Rice.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Chinese
restaurant means a platter of Yang Chow fried rice. We have our favorite Chinese
dishes but we randomly pick from these favorites depending on the number of
diners but I don’t think it’s forgivable to order any other rice but Yang Chow
fried rice. It has no replacement. Though Mann Yann’s Yang Chow fried rice isn’t
the best there is, I don’t think it’s a disappointment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Star of the night<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiM8b4UFQHZ9bOJEDwgfLODeD8bw3kIStEX61qC5VYQoGtjEBnFI3TBR6apOuYhF2hD_xo31PPHGDlsPbxxadYgYYT4D0Ht3UXinkLIG5FZ12LoLU3P79siHmEIrZ3vhoxfLEraUiYWaI/s1600/Fish+in+garlic+sauce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiM8b4UFQHZ9bOJEDwgfLODeD8bw3kIStEX61qC5VYQoGtjEBnFI3TBR6apOuYhF2hD_xo31PPHGDlsPbxxadYgYYT4D0Ht3UXinkLIG5FZ12LoLU3P79siHmEIrZ3vhoxfLEraUiYWaI/s640/Fish+in+garlic+sauce.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">While
everything else was pretty much the same, this steamed fish fillet was something new, wonderfully new, to me. These cutlets may seem too </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">tender and vulnerable</span>, but they are very much capable of carrying a pleasant garlic flavor that will make you close your eyes and savor every bit of it. I didn't want to be too obvious but I really closed my eyes a second or two longer than a blink. Yeah, that dramatic. [HAHA] I actually felt like one of the hosts of lifestyle shows who say the mandatory "Mmmmmm" after tasting a dish. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Kidding aside, this dish really got me. I googled and printed several recipes already and have been planning to cook it for months now. Problem is, I feel like watching Lifestyle Network when I'm at the R's. I am that TV-deprived when I'm in my dorm. [HAHA]</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ZxDzdKr8dK68nWHdMR27dCZy9A2D_zcw2hyphenhyphenMhDaOJEhLz4B9Z5vXtef6S7IZmzqq2Ma_6dzt8wMexPA5m7B7gcSorVB8FoLceBuPJBcKDNqGETkPNzWgg3WETKPncGEa3-4duaebqxI/s1600/Afermath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ZxDzdKr8dK68nWHdMR27dCZy9A2D_zcw2hyphenhyphenMhDaOJEhLz4B9Z5vXtef6S7IZmzqq2Ma_6dzt8wMexPA5m7B7gcSorVB8FoLceBuPJBcKDNqGETkPNzWgg3WETKPncGEa3-4duaebqxI/s400/Afermath.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The aftermath</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Mann Yann's interior is not something to boast of (so I did not take pictures of it) and the place is small that it gets a little too cramp during peak hours. But that's no biggie. What I'm after are the good food it serves and this wonderful dish I discovered through them. Judging from the "aftermath" photo above, we'll definitely see Mann Yann again. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoJp33pdeZtLcf7TZtVjIxLPJU84wKemUFXzZ9ReAbWQuhP7CENxRF9LbpvGkhEr1XMadCGpsnvZ0vJsiV1IAB29-GPVa_Ix9XtH5bQ3OZr7WjuCIaVbvs1rgY9UwJvKQH7jYwmuk278/s1600/love%252C+cheenee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoJp33pdeZtLcf7TZtVjIxLPJU84wKemUFXzZ9ReAbWQuhP7CENxRF9LbpvGkhEr1XMadCGpsnvZ0vJsiV1IAB29-GPVa_Ix9XtH5bQ3OZr7WjuCIaVbvs1rgY9UwJvKQH7jYwmuk278/s1600/love%252C+cheenee.jpg" /></a></div>
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cheeneeD.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17578358974875402869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-544622594171965950.post-6191856722598477002012-10-10T21:39:00.000+08:002012-10-10T21:58:33.942+08:00Sisig Overload<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYsUHJVf3axVsSMe2hF_lJsnFkdS-v8_1nC0y3hEbVaY1yGDbqMqm7YOsVEzNtR7mnC7HlWtT536Lkr8MMCeLq2jtRXmN9KBP6GCdcTne068VAonIsrZRbMIOftQHpNrQCBdNSuV4QRA/s1600/pampanga-sisig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYsUHJVf3axVsSMe2hF_lJsnFkdS-v8_1nC0y3hEbVaY1yGDbqMqm7YOsVEzNtR7mnC7HlWtT536Lkr8MMCeLq2jtRXmN9KBP6GCdcTne068VAonIsrZRbMIOftQHpNrQCBdNSuV4QRA/s320/pampanga-sisig.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo from <a href="http://tourism-philippines.com/pampanga/">http://tourism-philippines.com/pampanga/</a><br />
by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lesterphotogallery/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/lesterphotogallery/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial; text-align: justify;">Sisig
has surprisingly made its regular appearance on the dinner table when my
parents, sister, aunt, and grandma were here late last month. Except, of
course, for that dinner in North Park, which obviously does not serve this dish,
and that dinner at home during <u><a href="http://nicknamedcheenee.blogspot.com/2012/10/my-parents-31st-family-food-fun.html">my parents’ 31st anniversary celebration</a></u>. I admit
I have underestimated the taste buds of the rest of the family and categorized
them under “picky” and “unadventurous”. They eat innards. I don’t. They eat any
fish dish while I have my own list of “edible” fish. They stuff themselves with
more greens than I can tolerate. So, who’s picky?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">As
you may already know, sisig is made of a pig’s cheeks and is often mixed with
liver and what have you. The first time I saw it, it was as if I was seeing in reality my mental sketch of a human brain taken out of a skull, chopped finely, and cooked. I may have gory imaginings sometimes but that sisig still looked weird and scary to bits. But the innovative Pinoys devised a way to
make it friendlier to the less adventurous segment of the population. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I
have only eaten sisig in college, when everybody was nuts about it and it was
the mandatory pulutan in most drinking sessions. My first try didn't go well
because of the liver bits. But after that, I enjoyed every sisig meal that I
had. Well, some may be less enjoyable than the others, but I have managed to eat them without a hint
of disgust.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I was not aware that I already missed my weekly fix of sisig that I was delighted to hear them order it when
we had dinner in Congo Grille Mall of Asia. I deliberately brought them there
because I remember Nanay, my maternal grandmother, enjoyed their sisig when we
dined there years ago, when she still lived with the R’s in Cavite. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Congo
Grilles’s sisig falls above the “ok” sisigs that I have had, even one of the best I've had. It was creamy
rather than oily. I forgot if it was topped with egg, which made it creamy, but
I suspect that it had mayonnaise. The light crunch that the cracklings gave was
also a pleasant contrast to the soft rice. Though I would have loved it better
if it had a mild kick, Congo Grille’s sisig was the best out of the three
sisig dishes I had that week. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zKvk0dQurx0d2MvNNSnGdsIN0ICIP1b_Mw5Oc7gGQO5u3qiCjp_GJgXrLI4MTzeD9gAltB_CmyuE04meAjnwXzX3xcrQRM4MCaPAB-mMD4mtsOfON4YxmpGxuAdwG9KMWxhiSQJ5EtU/s1600/Congo+Grille%2527s+Pork+Sisig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zKvk0dQurx0d2MvNNSnGdsIN0ICIP1b_Mw5Oc7gGQO5u3qiCjp_GJgXrLI4MTzeD9gAltB_CmyuE04meAjnwXzX3xcrQRM4MCaPAB-mMD4mtsOfON4YxmpGxuAdwG9KMWxhiSQJ5EtU/s640/Congo+Grille%2527s+Pork+Sisig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">By
pure fate, my sister and her college dorm mate crossed paths in Greenbelt. I do
not know how that happened! She treated us to dinner at Mesa and one of the
orders was— guess what?— sisig! If Congo Grille's was above "ok", theirs fall under "ok." I do not know why I found it incomparable with
Congo Grille’s sisig. Probably because it had too much oil. The grilled sampler that we
ordered may have also been a factor because everything in it tasted almost the
same and it sort of affected how the sisig tasted in my mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxz6RW-GP5Sn9EJvyNhsnRbuo13EgrYm2o2egBO1l1thF3nfYYz3dwY2BfQVj0Si3NnzsQd9Pq4cbUJYC6_AO7iD72mgo8JSb_ka8-8un89K4t-VsaUcBIceLVGkGWeMjv-6asoL8pOw/s1600/Mesa%2527s+Sisig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxz6RW-GP5Sn9EJvyNhsnRbuo13EgrYm2o2egBO1l1thF3nfYYz3dwY2BfQVj0Si3NnzsQd9Pq4cbUJYC6_AO7iD72mgo8JSb_ka8-8un89K4t-VsaUcBIceLVGkGWeMjv-6asoL8pOw/s320/Mesa%2527s+Sisig.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken with iPad, hence the poor quality. Sorry. :D</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Nanay
and Tita Rhodel were the last ones to go home to Leyte and the night before their
flight, we had dinner at Gilligan’s in Market! Market!. And of course, dinner wouldn't be complete without the ever loved sisig. This was the least that I
liked among the three sisig dishes. But to be fair, I should state here that
this was the third time that week that we had sisig and grilled meat viand.
Not to mention that <u><a href="http://nicknamedcheenee.blogspot.com/2012/10/my-parents-31st-family-food-fun.html">my favorite lechon from Leyte</a></u> was also flown to Manila for
my parents’ anniversary so I was already on a cholesterol high that day. Though
it was the least I liked, I’m not saying that it was bad at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">From
it’s true home in Pampanga, sisig already has many versions, and even forms, all over the country. Just like sisig, I am pretty sure that from a nation that loves to cook and eat, there are still a lot of local dishes that deserve to be brought to the national scene. I hope these "undiscovered" culinary treasures can be unearthed soon and be experienced by the rest of us.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoJp33pdeZtLcf7TZtVjIxLPJU84wKemUFXzZ9ReAbWQuhP7CENxRF9LbpvGkhEr1XMadCGpsnvZ0vJsiV1IAB29-GPVa_Ix9XtH5bQ3OZr7WjuCIaVbvs1rgY9UwJvKQH7jYwmuk278/s1600/love%252C+cheenee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoJp33pdeZtLcf7TZtVjIxLPJU84wKemUFXzZ9ReAbWQuhP7CENxRF9LbpvGkhEr1XMadCGpsnvZ0vJsiV1IAB29-GPVa_Ix9XtH5bQ3OZr7WjuCIaVbvs1rgY9UwJvKQH7jYwmuk278/s1600/love%252C+cheenee.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
cheeneeD.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17578358974875402869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-544622594171965950.post-70705545652823786202012-10-05T10:01:00.000+08:002012-10-05T10:16:09.641+08:00Sweet Treat From Estrel's<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkEwbqV_8W3-_5UqKk6TeMecKPgrh4ra9CfsDCJBUwJOiYr9YBJqP2cqCJWnXqOd-rGliK5-e_2fXNrYQ5Ee7oq86EGAySFWBxw1To6e1ynRFx-t9Gow8G-mGbu9Gu597tquBP_JrNG8/s1600/Estrel%2527s+Caramel+Cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkEwbqV_8W3-_5UqKk6TeMecKPgrh4ra9CfsDCJBUwJOiYr9YBJqP2cqCJWnXqOd-rGliK5-e_2fXNrYQ5Ee7oq86EGAySFWBxw1To6e1ynRFx-t9Gow8G-mGbu9Gu597tquBP_JrNG8/s320/Estrel%2527s+Caramel+Cake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Many of us take comfort in sweet food.
Have you ever wondered why? I have read somewhere that people innately
gravitate towards sweet or salty food and whichever flavor of comfort food we
prefer is influenced by our genes, environment, and experiences.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">After reading that article, I came-up
with a not so scientific and maybe not so original theory that most people love
sweet comfort food because we have always been treated to candies and
chocolates as rewards when we were little kids. Of course, there are more
scientific reasons like, for instance, chocolates, which according to studies
boost the production of serotonin, a chemical that averts depression. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">As for me, I find comfort in sweet food
because it refreshes my mouth, especially if followed by a glass of water. I
may have a sweet tooth, but my tonsils cannot tolerate very sweet desserts.
It’s fine with me, though, because very sweet treats leave a bitter aftertaste.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I think the key to comfort sweets is
striking the balance. And this is what Estrel’s has perfected over 66 years of
baking.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9kvgiPxmPTpPTYY7NgY_V_90Wy2XmotknZQnQK2Ksi6pvVpvvxDLVgqHX3Nyc8Tx29NTH5KU47yVFgFDwKrkXeC2J11wAZTlJ8GcXRZL6jRoXDwY-xhpPy1X_oSwv-sRvf3YH3pW_cE/s1600/Estrel%2527s+Caramel+Cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9kvgiPxmPTpPTYY7NgY_V_90Wy2XmotknZQnQK2Ksi6pvVpvvxDLVgqHX3Nyc8Tx29NTH5KU47yVFgFDwKrkXeC2J11wAZTlJ8GcXRZL6jRoXDwY-xhpPy1X_oSwv-sRvf3YH3pW_cE/s640/Estrel%2527s+Caramel+Cake.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Les wanted this cake for <u><a href="http://nicknamedcheenee.blogspot.com/2012/10/my-parents-31st-family-food-fun.html#more">our parents’ 31<sup>st</sup><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>wedding anniversary</a></u>. I protested
because commuting from Quezon City to Taguig with a big, heavy box of cake is
not a good idea. But then I relented because I wanted to bring something new to
the table, far different from the beautifully decorated 70 percent icing and 30
percent cake from default chains like Goldilocks and Red Ribbon (the latter being better than the former).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Giving in to my sister’s request was good
because I was able to eat as much slices as I pleased and it was a hit among
our visitors! Why won't it be? The caramel icing and filling had a
controlled sweetness that went perfectly with the fluffy chiffon cake. The
balanced and complementing flavors toned down the overwhelming sweetness found in
most mass-made cakes and made the gustatory experience gratifying.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GtEkuZzF20XUhJf3Noyi3OlH0viZ-_9sNzynPbzY9Mv0azhcknyZ7E-hqjf-jSuTRhteP-Si3eNaqO3UYnSGFX5ws4o50KVpHHF0Aem1gau9pjCwuxhMsgqMKUZVwAqxeqOqb9kqiVU/s1600/Butter+flower+icing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GtEkuZzF20XUhJf3Noyi3OlH0viZ-_9sNzynPbzY9Mv0azhcknyZ7E-hqjf-jSuTRhteP-Si3eNaqO3UYnSGFX5ws4o50KVpHHF0Aem1gau9pjCwuxhMsgqMKUZVwAqxeqOqb9kqiVU/s640/Butter+flower+icing.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Another thing that made Estrel’s
different is that it does not sacrifice taste and quality over aesthetics. But
it does not sacrifice aesthetics either. Its cakes have soft flower icings made
of butter. It also has intricate lace-patterned icing. That’s neat and dainty
for a cake. The caramel cakes come in rectangles, circles and hearts and could
be customized for different occasions.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The 8 x 12 rectangular cake (P900) we had was consumed on the day of the celebration, which was good. Its shelf life is only good for two days since it contains no preservatives.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Unassuming</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxMVQTmhhhQ9O612O8W25I5ecs_iA5ku0BoSY8SUxQO7FlxL7HjoHsL2x84mSTts2lh4uEhwgRbOHqzkSYdDX4aJsaEy4Q5eMMw8KtlFYchVKsGxpOksZwbFvyGUC6jvwr6Kggc1HSac/s1600/Estrel%2527s+shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxMVQTmhhhQ9O612O8W25I5ecs_iA5ku0BoSY8SUxQO7FlxL7HjoHsL2x84mSTts2lh4uEhwgRbOHqzkSYdDX4aJsaEy4Q5eMMw8KtlFYchVKsGxpOksZwbFvyGUC6jvwr6Kggc1HSac/s640/Estrel%2527s+shop.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Estrel’s little shop is located in an unassuming
corner on Scts. Tobias and Limbaga. It may not be a polished and glitzy store but
it sure carries a mysterious aura that silently screams “come discover a secret
treat.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Inside, the store is filled with customers
enchanted by the taste of Estrel’s caramel cakes and other baked goodies and the stream of people never
stops. Cake boxes go out the door and are replaced by more boxes from the kitchen. I got a glimpse of the yard and house of the family when a staff
opened the back door to bring in more cakes. I must say that this truly is <a href="http://www.estrels.com/menu">a family tradition well taken care of.</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">And speaking of staff, they are very helpful.
They offer to carry the box to the customers’ cars or cabs. They also do a
wonderful job in making everything inside organized amid the number of people
picking up cakes and placing orders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUQKs5s-JwecFHpwSQ_7-F5hfESzhTejg0oBGLCZVt57lFv8Q8A89oeNTZhB9TpVxcx9R5Zn_n0s5W_BeTRO3sLSLI7D9dia_lDh_1lPXfMlFxxfkwlw6eY8io9ikoX3ZB230oSzz8FY/s1600/inside+estrel%2527s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUQKs5s-JwecFHpwSQ_7-F5hfESzhTejg0oBGLCZVt57lFv8Q8A89oeNTZhB9TpVxcx9R5Zn_n0s5W_BeTRO3sLSLI7D9dia_lDh_1lPXfMlFxxfkwlw6eY8io9ikoX3ZB230oSzz8FY/s640/inside+estrel%2527s.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">If you would place orders, I suggest
that you do it through phone because the line inside the store tends to be long. Also do it days before you need it. You may check <u><a href="http://www.estrels.com/">www.estrels.com</a></u> for the menu and price list. In my case, I phoned in my order and was given the option to pay through Banco
de Oro. I called the store again to confirm my payment and they just asked a
few information from the deposit slip. That’s it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Aside from the fact that Estrel’s is
tucked a little bit off the busy Timog and Tomas Morato Avenues, its caramel
cakes are worth the trip. With Estrel’s on the table, making special occasions
and random days more memorable is a piece of cake. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoJp33pdeZtLcf7TZtVjIxLPJU84wKemUFXzZ9ReAbWQuhP7CENxRF9LbpvGkhEr1XMadCGpsnvZ0vJsiV1IAB29-GPVa_Ix9XtH5bQ3OZr7WjuCIaVbvs1rgY9UwJvKQH7jYwmuk278/s1600/love%252C+cheenee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoJp33pdeZtLcf7TZtVjIxLPJU84wKemUFXzZ9ReAbWQuhP7CENxRF9LbpvGkhEr1XMadCGpsnvZ0vJsiV1IAB29-GPVa_Ix9XtH5bQ3OZr7WjuCIaVbvs1rgY9UwJvKQH7jYwmuk278/s1600/love%252C+cheenee.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZMEgTMl_cm6ouDXkygUFBrhaU9r4Ewpujqe8-mZCp1jHd-a4-VzCPF74aC6kjpWOw1ARUJ7_SUUbZgQkzEfnSvfICMUclg8lpJDH7S0Nplbp7izeNe3HwTvKXazGZrHiGLsOTATrhzIE/s1600/Estrel%2527s+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZMEgTMl_cm6ouDXkygUFBrhaU9r4Ewpujqe8-mZCp1jHd-a4-VzCPF74aC6kjpWOw1ARUJ7_SUUbZgQkzEfnSvfICMUclg8lpJDH7S0Nplbp7izeNe3HwTvKXazGZrHiGLsOTATrhzIE/s200/Estrel%2527s+logo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Estrel’s Caramel Cakes</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
54 Sct. Tobias cor Sct. Limbaga Streets</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Laging Handa, Quezon City</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
372-2965 or 371-7938</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.estrels.com/">www.estrels.com</a></div>
cheeneeD.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17578358974875402869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-544622594171965950.post-18686511809049058822012-10-01T14:09:00.000+08:002012-10-01T15:19:57.997+08:00My Parents’ 31st: Family, Food, Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-kkVg9aJKICICeb8mJrIHFkk1cB4Jkc79kThQhS5Zgr0981yRkdqbomNp1V-QgoDyXOe9HbpN6mflivmH1w2FPFPEkC5whc3euGIV92iyhiRMAY9MtfELqaHpT_DKweiO7thMHHoBwY/s1600/Tatay+and+Mama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-kkVg9aJKICICeb8mJrIHFkk1cB4Jkc79kThQhS5Zgr0981yRkdqbomNp1V-QgoDyXOe9HbpN6mflivmH1w2FPFPEkC5whc3euGIV92iyhiRMAY9MtfELqaHpT_DKweiO7thMHHoBwY/s400/Tatay+and+Mama.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Tatay
and Mama’s wedding has become a running joke in the family after relatives from
my mother’s side got no invites. That’s because they eloped and got wed
secretly by Ninong Ben (Msgr. Ben Sabillo) in my father's hometown following the elders’ disapproval of
their marriage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">During
their 25th wedding anniversary, my father jokingly said in his speech that they
decided to have another church wedding for the benefit of the uninvited
relatives to witness what they have missed 25 years ago. And six years after
their 25th, my parents still obligingly do the cake and wine ceremony done
during wedding receptions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFtxd7QVtxCPeVhFErI9ixenxdg-jxdKm2Z_BcVBTIXOIsTS5SBwC5hFJStMZLc40vG8ypq7qcglRVhIAYeh47iaVDySREXfGCCVY2Vi5hiNE6lMnxTNsqS_jIlG7W7mF6NgTQJUAqes/s1600/Cake+and+wine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFtxd7QVtxCPeVhFErI9ixenxdg-jxdKm2Z_BcVBTIXOIsTS5SBwC5hFJStMZLc40vG8ypq7qcglRVhIAYeh47iaVDySREXfGCCVY2Vi5hiNE6lMnxTNsqS_jIlG7W7mF6NgTQJUAqes/s400/Cake+and+wine.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Here’s
why we celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary here. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Tatay
and Mama got their tickets early this year to celebrate their anniversary here in Manila. In
another seat sale, my sister secretly bought her tickets to surprise them.
But unlike last year, where I successfully flew home without them knowing, our
little secret leaked. FAIL! Tita Rhodel, Mama’s youngest sister, and Nanay,
Mama’s mother, also booked their flights. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Initially,
Ate Les and I planned to dine in a restaurant somewhere for the occasion. But
Tatay had something different in his mind— a simple party in Taguig with some
of our Manila-based relatives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">And
so the simple gathering. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">If
the buffet was the stage and the food were the cast, I’d say that the lead roles
and the stars of the show would be the <b>lechon from Leyte </b>and the <b>caramel cake from
Estrel’s.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">We
found our favorite lechon in Tanauan, Leyte, the town next to ours. From the
highway, I would always sniff to my nose’s pleasure and peek at the rows of
cooked and uncooked lechons skewered in kawayan. It is the best lechon I have
tasted in my life and I’d definitely vouch for it’s taste without hesitation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5RUdSj6Zxp3FnE25A5mOIu8kk9onbT9qH3TxO63YeQgR3RqK3ssRcYU05ihbPlhQNRcJfAtOHWN3nL1SPDYIBH6rvH2WYgqHLyXh0BymtjjgXP3gUcO9NzQhiUFYWt01teBsn65PDMQ/s1600/lechon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5RUdSj6Zxp3FnE25A5mOIu8kk9onbT9qH3TxO63YeQgR3RqK3ssRcYU05ihbPlhQNRcJfAtOHWN3nL1SPDYIBH6rvH2WYgqHLyXh0BymtjjgXP3gUcO9NzQhiUFYWt01teBsn65PDMQ/s640/lechon.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">While
others scramble for a piece of a lechon’s crunchy skin, I wait until they
uncover my heaven— the ribs! As a child, I remember loving every bit of lechon
skin. But when I grew older, I have come to love the ribs probably because I
already learned how to appreciate more complex flavors besides salty and sweet,
and I could already rip off the bones with little or no help at all from
others. It actually is the most delicious part of the lechon because it gets
the most flavor from the ingredients they place at the pig’s core. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj61n6jCD14hD685MEIs65vCY-mZksYH4EUM7P1AKlu9fBfrg_XxcyXyrLZH5BqIjJ57X3TuRoeTGCOjTpiIQmEQg5u62mLC3S6iYu1MN_0XniXZ9n387I8FwYO3a5R1ddkeSr4VcDe88/s1600/Ribs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj61n6jCD14hD685MEIs65vCY-mZksYH4EUM7P1AKlu9fBfrg_XxcyXyrLZH5BqIjJ57X3TuRoeTGCOjTpiIQmEQg5u62mLC3S6iYu1MN_0XniXZ9n387I8FwYO3a5R1ddkeSr4VcDe88/s400/Ribs.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love you, ribs! Mwaah mwaah!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thank
goodness for airplanes, lechon from Leyte can be flown to Manila in an hour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumxZZPS2eA8DC6l2IMuSyEHXm3cc_x_DmUgbEK5sBsLKAZB9GgwHJjWd4NpXcL9tAuVI3dalO2jTNoroWNcHMXcLMBchnd6QB9fZwXpyJ9ZYtjlGjw4h01-HbDsi1wSH2MAdh8MPglt4/s1600/Ribs+and+I.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumxZZPS2eA8DC6l2IMuSyEHXm3cc_x_DmUgbEK5sBsLKAZB9GgwHJjWd4NpXcL9tAuVI3dalO2jTNoroWNcHMXcLMBchnd6QB9fZwXpyJ9ZYtjlGjw4h01-HbDsi1wSH2MAdh8MPglt4/s400/Ribs+and+I.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The
other lead character was the caramel cake from Estrel’s. As usual, its fluffy
cake and delish caramel coat and filling got all of us mmmm-ing and slicing for
more. Ahh, life! </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">
I’ll be doing a separate post on Estrel’s soon because it deserves one. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkEwbqV_8W3-_5UqKk6TeMecKPgrh4ra9CfsDCJBUwJOiYr9YBJqP2cqCJWnXqOd-rGliK5-e_2fXNrYQ5Ee7oq86EGAySFWBxw1To6e1ynRFx-t9Gow8G-mGbu9Gu597tquBP_JrNG8/s1600/Estrel%2527s+Caramel+Cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkEwbqV_8W3-_5UqKk6TeMecKPgrh4ra9CfsDCJBUwJOiYr9YBJqP2cqCJWnXqOd-rGliK5-e_2fXNrYQ5Ee7oq86EGAySFWBxw1To6e1ynRFx-t9Gow8G-mGbu9Gu597tquBP_JrNG8/s640/Estrel%2527s+Caramel+Cake.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKawdzADvGLAjMss1cLnBq7qh-rf6MenSiC7MHpXo9SOdWlNYwEvLpNdoN0lFpJbeJERqwfX3x3hx16uxt4JFgKdHRJZ6BUCgmtbTq7vbPPTJmud6KisWe7wpW_gwTofewbIma1kHGqU/s1600/Cake+Slicing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKawdzADvGLAjMss1cLnBq7qh-rf6MenSiC7MHpXo9SOdWlNYwEvLpNdoN0lFpJbeJERqwfX3x3hx16uxt4JFgKdHRJZ6BUCgmtbTq7vbPPTJmud6KisWe7wpW_gwTofewbIma1kHGqU/s640/Cake+Slicing.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Supporting cast</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The main cast did a stellar job, but what is a lead
without the supporting cast? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">In
Leyte, when we need fresh seafood, Shed in Sagkahan or Tanauan’s market are
the no-brainer go-to markets. Here, we didn’t have the time to buy fresh
seafood from I don’t know where and cook them at home. But we know of a yummy
solution— Dampa!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I
haven’t been to Dampa in Baclaran but I suppose it works the same with the Dampa
in Macapagal Blvd where diners buy their raw food in a market and have them
cooked in a string of restaurants. The “Team Dampa” bought the following
dishes:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Sweet
and Sour Fish</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNXgi2DFgOuB_RsWAKNkPV28lZg2o_I-6hqP23XNRKlLg8y0Ec9xQFyu0VWPUlYv7CPbzxB4SbyxSLSkRcipTt0_rJi8pv11ZSQ6roWgHcdWNIzIpoA6BRkrbX3iPoehyOcQg62zxtx0/s1600/Sweet+and+Sour+fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNXgi2DFgOuB_RsWAKNkPV28lZg2o_I-6hqP23XNRKlLg8y0Ec9xQFyu0VWPUlYv7CPbzxB4SbyxSLSkRcipTt0_rJi8pv11ZSQ6roWgHcdWNIzIpoA6BRkrbX3iPoehyOcQg62zxtx0/s640/Sweet+and+Sour+fish.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I
did not try this but since there were no leftovers, I guess they were good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Buttered
Shrimps</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOF0DVnvYXHPqHgmEIrBy2nGawEgnCQoyOoMZwN-PqnwPg6zKywjr6x-3yzG-Ss2y8MGyJQnCmCbFWCiNDTIG3KOPdRvZTELffHZqEKpBjyG9u4xQDUW8sm9WmGVM4FxvIoJY2KTKPWi0/s1600/Buttered+Shrimp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOF0DVnvYXHPqHgmEIrBy2nGawEgnCQoyOoMZwN-PqnwPg6zKywjr6x-3yzG-Ss2y8MGyJQnCmCbFWCiNDTIG3KOPdRvZTELffHZqEKpBjyG9u4xQDUW8sm9WmGVM4FxvIoJY2KTKPWi0/s640/Buttered+Shrimp.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I
love shrimps! These buttered shrimps tasted good but I wish it had a spicy kick
to counter the overwhelming butter flavor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Calamares</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBN1naIVvz2o40pCXobmaUxBi0OH7oN1zZaM_coLTZIMzLibWPuYwzS0v-R9XJVSHb9nYhfUhSl59uq0gIOUe32Gmg1ekgZKJNaQbIe26698OjtkAbgvNtkrBeR678d9AZrSAPmagicUM/s1600/Calamares.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBN1naIVvz2o40pCXobmaUxBi0OH7oN1zZaM_coLTZIMzLibWPuYwzS0v-R9XJVSHb9nYhfUhSl59uq0gIOUe32Gmg1ekgZKJNaQbIe26698OjtkAbgvNtkrBeR678d9AZrSAPmagicUM/s640/Calamares.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The
calamares were no longer crispy come lunch time BUT I still loved them. The
tender meat made this dish pleasant despite its lack in crunch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Kinilaw</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWW5F-h7zyX3wMuXJiSc7NEsr5GfpxBbBuBeY0I1JNoQqZPxRM37-7F3hqWDfOzwqBbuj-DWyhsQs9Z0Q7U2zZQRCfhUecX0TDjcsBNWq8WBWfoqo5j9V187NS6l23C99yR01oF8hDRxg/s1600/Kiniliaw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWW5F-h7zyX3wMuXJiSc7NEsr5GfpxBbBuBeY0I1JNoQqZPxRM37-7F3hqWDfOzwqBbuj-DWyhsQs9Z0Q7U2zZQRCfhUecX0TDjcsBNWq8WBWfoqo5j9V187NS6l23C99yR01oF8hDRxg/s640/Kiniliaw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">We
found it weird that this kinilaw did not have coconut milk. But when I tasted
it, it sure was a bomb. It was spicy and the fish was tender, perfect for a
soft, white, piping hot rice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Team
Dampa’s four-man team has a two-man counterpart composed of Tita R and myself.
I call our team “Team Landmark.” That’s because we had to do some last minute
shopping for plates, glasses, and other utensils in Landmark to augment what we
have at home. And since we were already there, we bought a medium-sized bila-o
of Pancit Bihon (P970) at Buddy’s, The Link, just across Landmark.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMt1JaEqeUe1awkXzgWaMcQ3m0XwGU4dRAuYGmMf0J67AN2RE6pti3gE0H7k8xruh1JS5Ati_UYhgAzWV8-lct1PpefhThOpSnK3fV_0xLaJu46RH7v61WqGYrGQNnvvz-iE4_Z5DWwV4/s1600/Pancit+Bihon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMt1JaEqeUe1awkXzgWaMcQ3m0XwGU4dRAuYGmMf0J67AN2RE6pti3gE0H7k8xruh1JS5Ati_UYhgAzWV8-lct1PpefhThOpSnK3fV_0xLaJu46RH7v61WqGYrGQNnvvz-iE4_Z5DWwV4/s640/Pancit+Bihon.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">We
are a family of pancit lovers, I assume. Mama finds any party incomplete
without pancit. And the fact that the bila-o was empty at the end of the day
confirms my assumption. Buddy’s pancit never fails to make me happy. That’s my
other way of saying it’s delicious. Period.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I
haven’t eaten THAT much in a long time. It seemed like my mouth never rested
from eating, talking, and laughing from lunch until dinner. I haven’t eaten
that much ice cream in a long time, too! [HAHA]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">***<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Great
food wouldn’t be as great without great visitors. Like what I have said <u><a href="http://nicknamedcheenee.blogspot.com/2012/09/of-keepsakes-and-mibf.html">here</a></u>,
I always get amused at how stories are retold yet still elicit the same heartfelt
laughter. Thank you for coming and celebrating Tatay and Mama’s 31st wedding
anniversary with us. ‘Til the next get together. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i>I am going to post more photos as soon as I get a better Internet connection. </i></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoJp33pdeZtLcf7TZtVjIxLPJU84wKemUFXzZ9ReAbWQuhP7CENxRF9LbpvGkhEr1XMadCGpsnvZ0vJsiV1IAB29-GPVa_Ix9XtH5bQ3OZr7WjuCIaVbvs1rgY9UwJvKQH7jYwmuk278/s1600/love%252C+cheenee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoJp33pdeZtLcf7TZtVjIxLPJU84wKemUFXzZ9ReAbWQuhP7CENxRF9LbpvGkhEr1XMadCGpsnvZ0vJsiV1IAB29-GPVa_Ix9XtH5bQ3OZr7WjuCIaVbvs1rgY9UwJvKQH7jYwmuk278/s1600/love%252C+cheenee.jpg" /></a></div>
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cheeneeD.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17578358974875402869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-544622594171965950.post-222935783451663762012-09-30T21:59:00.002+08:002012-09-30T23:25:55.613+08:00Keepsakes and the MIBF<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUKJVLW3TJa5G4f2HYTBQdyCbXrnZe4ImakpLQiypSBzfynCONkd4J3iCsyI3jkUYRcvkCUpXcISpO3D_GA0tCFE2_t3nDEiOBTwMxfkdgPj0EtzOMXc9Ei-9cTWX910sBvdBNQSvZy8/s1600/The+33rd+MIBF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUKJVLW3TJa5G4f2HYTBQdyCbXrnZe4ImakpLQiypSBzfynCONkd4J3iCsyI3jkUYRcvkCUpXcISpO3D_GA0tCFE2_t3nDEiOBTwMxfkdgPj0EtzOMXc9Ei-9cTWX910sBvdBNQSvZy8/s640/The+33rd+MIBF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;">Books fall open, you fall in</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">Delighted where you’ve never been</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Hear voices not once heard before</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Reach world on world through door on door</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Find unexpected keys to things</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Locked up beyond imaginings<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;">-David McCord</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">If
there is something the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) has given me in
the past two years besides cheaper books to read, it is the affirmation of an
affinity towards the Philippine’s history and culture well-tucked in the
recesses of my being. While I love reading books by foreign authors, those by
Filipinos leave a compelling sense of belonging. And while foreign books
bring me to worlds I haven’t grown up with, the local books connect me to a
Philippines that has sadly been buried and forgotten. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://nicknamedcheenee.blogspot.com/2011/09/the-32nd-mibf-written-world-and-beyond.html">Last year’s non-fiction finds</a>, specifically “The Manila We Knew,” brought me around
a different Metro Manila, where elegance was still apt to describe Escolta and
Quiapo; where families spread linens for weekend afternoon picnics at the park;
where art deco houses were at its glory; where neighbors knew each other and
fences in elite subdivisions were built low; where Makati still had no skyscrapers
to speak of; where horses roamed today’s Bonifacio Global City;
where dragonflies and crickets still thrived in Quezon City; and where
Sampaloc trees, not restaurants, bars, and cars, lined the stretch of Tomas
Morato. I was horrified by “The Malate I knew” of Henrie Santos where she
retold their family’s story during the war while Ambeth Ocampo’s “Looking Back”
series made me think of going to the National Library and find out how my
family got our surnames. His essays, although some I am hesitant to completely
believe, and the essays and other stories of Filipino authors have constantly
been creating sparks, making me more interested to know about untold stories of
the past, not only that of Manila, but especially of provinces rarely heard of.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Back
in Palo, Leyte, where I grew up, I remember enjoying myself with stories of
my aunts and uncles, cousins of my mother, while we gathered in a corner after
the procession of the Santo Entierro passed by. From stories from way back
their childhood to the “current events” in the lives of family friends,
everything delighted me. Even if some of them were same old stories told during
parties and wakes, I still listen intently and get amused at how all of us
still laugh so hard like we haven’t heard of them before. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">This
is possibly the reason why I enjoyed lectures
of Sir Lito Zulueta, Ma’am Alice Villadolid (despite the fact that it was an
ordeal both to stay awake in her three-hour class and not to think that she was
infatuated with Ninoy Aquino), and other professors who randomly and casually
talked about history and the historical significance of people. This may also be
the reason why I love reading non-fiction books like those by Nick Joaquin. When
they— my relatives, professors and writers— speak of history, they tell
stories of real people who give color to the lifeless dates and summaries of
history textbooks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Before
I came to Metro Manila to study, I was in love with its big malls and the variety of
shops and restaurants in it. But when I came to semi-permanently reside here to
study, Manila was nothing but a filthy city, far from the neat, air-conditioned
malls I have come to love during vacations. It was not until later that I have
learned that part of the dingy City of Manila are structures of architectural
value like the National Museum. It was not until I learned of efforts to
restore the Metropolitan Theater that I learned what the old building, where
street dwellers take refuge and exudes the smell of urine, was
called. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Just
like how important people in our history become nothing else but names of
streets, I assume that people look at these buildings as mere landmarks and not as national treasures. I think that we lack knowledge and understanding of our
heritage. These tangible components of our culture are important to serve as
anchors that would keep us aground amid the “progress” of our country while the
intangible ones like values and tradition will help us understand not only the
recurring problems of our country, but also our triumphs as a nation. From here,
we can sift and leave behind those that keep us from getting better and imbibe
those that make us successful. From here, we can plan on how we can preserve
the old, blend in the new, and avoid cluttered (future) cities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">It
is saddening that for a people who takes pride in our culture, we give our
heritage little value. Other Asian countries preserve their ruins and attract
tourists, including Filipinos, to see them. In the Philippines, we ruin our
ruins. Unless we understand what we have and unless we strive to make the
younger generations appreciate and commit to protect our heritage, I am keeping
with me these books (and the books I will buy) as my keepsakes for the future
because it may only be through these that we will be able to know of a
Philippines we have never seen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">This
year, I planned to hoard more of these books. Unfortunately, being the average
earner that I am, I had very little budget compared to last year’s MIBF. I
settled for a book and two back issues of a food magazine.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEvrOqqExQ4KejvqQdLy6IZSCNRZlw3iK2e8fHpP6FAI6PkdkfxrzOy4EruQJ8BBsTryh2Oy3sPLZv6f5CwATzpu0mEaWn7-QCsHdb0rKnVvk-Ok2h1bXxGRmu1WwGGeUb6V_yrDyryQ/s1600/connecting+flight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEvrOqqExQ4KejvqQdLy6IZSCNRZlw3iK2e8fHpP6FAI6PkdkfxrzOy4EruQJ8BBsTryh2Oy3sPLZv6f5CwATzpu0mEaWn7-QCsHdb0rKnVvk-Ok2h1bXxGRmu1WwGGeUb6V_yrDyryQ/s320/connecting+flight.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">"Connecting Flights: Filipinos Write From Elsewhere" edited by Ruel S. de Vera survived the eliminations because of a few reasons. First, it has always been a dream to travel the Philippines and the world and for now, I satisfy myself with travel stories. In fact, I find stories equally interesting as pasalubongs. Second, the book is an anthology by some of the best Filipino writers. Third, I was interested to know what these writers have to say about other places. I had a feeling that they did not plainly talk about these places but have connected it to the Philippines and our culture. They compared it, maybe, or talked about the lives of OFW's. As De Vera said in his introduction, "But I believe that we Filipinos bring our true selves along with us on every leg of every journey. We leave with it-- and we treasure it enough to take it home, changed perhaps, but always overjoyed to have returned."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I was supposed to buy "Pacific Rims," a book on Philippine basketball written by New Yorker, Rafe Bartholomew. I discovered this book while killing time in FullyBooked High Street and after being an "accidental sports writer" back in college, my intuition told me to read it. It got me hooked when I found out that it is not purely on basketball but a mishmash of history, politics, culture and a lot more. And these coming from a foreigner made it more interesting. Call me vain, but I am interested on how foreigners perceive us. Unfortunately, it was not available on the day my friend Dane and I went. The staff promised to bring a copy to their MIBF booth but I got no message whether it was already available. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXzm57UtorfcPIwSclF7PVBqHwz3cfnsrqVX32DTiNOfj4TKUgEWLFBP3RyFtTEMLhK28zKpgaUvWhPOUzKY2uYU0RqzxRsyJSc0OI7HVFAtf6YO_VzGoBhfoP1lslxsSIxRz5mLqoao/s1600/yummy+magazine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXzm57UtorfcPIwSclF7PVBqHwz3cfnsrqVX32DTiNOfj4TKUgEWLFBP3RyFtTEMLhK28zKpgaUvWhPOUzKY2uYU0RqzxRsyJSc0OI7HVFAtf6YO_VzGoBhfoP1lslxsSIxRz5mLqoao/s320/yummy+magazine.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.tarateh.blogspot.com/">Dane</a> and I passed by the stall of Summit Media which sold back issues of its magazine for only P50. Since I also love cooking, I bought two back issues of "Yummy." I am so lucky that my celebrity chef crush, Sharwin Tee, is featured in one of the issues. <3 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The 33rd MIBF was not as much fun as <a href="http://nicknamedcheenee.blogspot.com/2011/09/the-32nd-mibf-written-world-and-beyond.html">last year</a> maybe because we went on the first day, a weekday, and only a few people were there. Though Chef Bruce Lim was there for book signing, we hoped it was "Monkey" who was there instead. Or maybe Chef Sharwin. It could also be because I had very little money and there were a lot to buy! [HAHA] But of course, I was happy with my few purchases.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I promise to save up for next year's MIBF so I could buy more keepsakes. ;) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Here are photos of Dane and me and some of the things I found interesting.</span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetr0ZG_jO8vsOLcp628qSvubmS1-PmKHWwLHOUtOgZ7aj9jRjCc-Hpa81zrEQDkpPEvD_BantzidPZqlK0DkX_Crs0NS5mn_riOFuLxlu_W50CePPpDlEm6mq2UYe0Sbmuvy47QgQ9Yg/s1600/book+on+food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetr0ZG_jO8vsOLcp628qSvubmS1-PmKHWwLHOUtOgZ7aj9jRjCc-Hpa81zrEQDkpPEvD_BantzidPZqlK0DkX_Crs0NS5mn_riOFuLxlu_W50CePPpDlEm6mq2UYe0Sbmuvy47QgQ9Yg/s640/book+on+food.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This reminded me of my TSUBA friends who call KFC "Kepsi" :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTz1_j2R4oekbb9YS1Z5L8z2WpdfG8q0LYBtqWTyHt2tpzG3coZhmtdkwiMiVg6HqplUDDcVxLOjQdBKwmo9txZhoAqApq3L0DFav6IpdNmFygyYrF7Ov5yJ7e9gJmSnZv7JxLXwqRwpI/s1600/books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTz1_j2R4oekbb9YS1Z5L8z2WpdfG8q0LYBtqWTyHt2tpzG3coZhmtdkwiMiVg6HqplUDDcVxLOjQdBKwmo9txZhoAqApq3L0DFav6IpdNmFygyYrF7Ov5yJ7e9gJmSnZv7JxLXwqRwpI/s640/books.jpg" width="440" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous books</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhwIEy_TY_WzaHDkNrRylvbg_I6oFYzse3UjqQ4o6Vt4SOlQR_Lxy32al4rhKvQtnRVyHoWRhHdu_ctV9oHjNuVqI2rcZKCiuMBAQKnGkVzk2FcOGTacr6OnfulsNThibp53KIZeTE3U/s1600/the+33rd+mibf_me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhwIEy_TY_WzaHDkNrRylvbg_I6oFYzse3UjqQ4o6Vt4SOlQR_Lxy32al4rhKvQtnRVyHoWRhHdu_ctV9oHjNuVqI2rcZKCiuMBAQKnGkVzk2FcOGTacr6OnfulsNThibp53KIZeTE3U/s1600/the+33rd+mibf_me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhwIEy_TY_WzaHDkNrRylvbg_I6oFYzse3UjqQ4o6Vt4SOlQR_Lxy32al4rhKvQtnRVyHoWRhHdu_ctV9oHjNuVqI2rcZKCiuMBAQKnGkVzk2FcOGTacr6OnfulsNThibp53KIZeTE3U/s640/the+33rd+mibf_me.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5m3KRLOdcc4hfqcsLxMeHXKH-b-VeqszQZ3y5AEy6JLaea_jetL1boTTrxyoUkLaukfAoxaoL56k-Uta6prC3cmIO-DxtL7tCsoDXB06QVTSTwj2N-O76H6s2kAAR_SuwTUvwq3br0kk/s1600/the+33rd+mibf_dane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5m3KRLOdcc4hfqcsLxMeHXKH-b-VeqszQZ3y5AEy6JLaea_jetL1boTTrxyoUkLaukfAoxaoL56k-Uta6prC3cmIO-DxtL7tCsoDXB06QVTSTwj2N-O76H6s2kAAR_SuwTUvwq3br0kk/s640/the+33rd+mibf_dane.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxuPZVtxAypdu8JHs4viLV4aQOzN4rWULUFJAvqX_aiGFxuN50y8kdYtl1w0f3l-9Brgij4cu0sskRnn4tVkj8xUSnvd2VjEOILKULa1sjTWPpj_Wj7HxyDZpPeR1uXbWNgLYYpS5r5c/s1600/mibf_me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxuPZVtxAypdu8JHs4viLV4aQOzN4rWULUFJAvqX_aiGFxuN50y8kdYtl1w0f3l-9Brgij4cu0sskRnn4tVkj8xUSnvd2VjEOILKULa1sjTWPpj_Wj7HxyDZpPeR1uXbWNgLYYpS5r5c/s640/mibf_me.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEDn1-T5o9buB1oOndNDkTdKtIfv-Nyb_Hn9rdazuzvLaeMUOvGb7hdNWoK__JE_PwNBBYpllp_QBptcecIyP-B89MK7x7sJbeXajaNTe8CbIqt-dnP-8elJELeSVBFZkX_A0o_8fV9g/s1600/mibf_dane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEDn1-T5o9buB1oOndNDkTdKtIfv-Nyb_Hn9rdazuzvLaeMUOvGb7hdNWoK__JE_PwNBBYpllp_QBptcecIyP-B89MK7x7sJbeXajaNTe8CbIqt-dnP-8elJELeSVBFZkX_A0o_8fV9g/s640/mibf_dane.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />cheeneeD.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17578358974875402869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-544622594171965950.post-7413817462646812392012-09-17T14:18:00.003+08:002012-09-17T14:18:58.749+08:00Konnichiwa! Welcome to Tokyo Cafe!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.tokyocafe.com.ph/"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BLZq_zhEYsbGWrqxCYVQ6Qdel2e7XdqYrQ5pBSaaWE0TebG3-mN7gGSoE4j3NR4lZNP2o1SwJ_IWeg765XTdrqfI_Z2dL25AcKS-1X7aUyle8WWEPpFHyQYj4OmEjdvhJPMgnTp1UkY/s640/Tokyo+Cafe+logo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The
moment I flipped through the menu of <u><a href="http://www.tokyocafe.com.ph/">Tokyo Cafe</a></u>, I told myself how stupid I was
for ignoring this restaurant for years! In its Mall of Asia branch, I always
notice its crepes displayed behind the glass windows but something about it
intimidated my lowly being. Maybe because it looked high-end or maybe because
its name suggests food faithful to the Japanese cuisine. While I love the
deep-fried and grilled Japanese dishes, I am reluctant to try the raw ones. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Tokyo
Cafe’s menu is a variety of western dishes with a Japanese twist, a fusion. I
was curious how pizza and pasta will become JapaNice but I was pretty sure that
it will be good. I have tried “Philippinized” western food and I have not had a
bad experience with them. Looking at the menu, I knew I was not in Tokyo Cafe
for that first bad encounter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">However,
my plan of having a dish with a Japanese twist went awry when Tyrone and I
decided on having Katsu-Ju and Ten-Ju (tempura). Both are very much associated
with Japanese cuisine. I lobbied for the Japanese Carbonara but the boyfriend
insisted on having pizza instead. Since he seldom opposes to my cravings, I agreed
with the pizza.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Even
before we were able to fully appreciate the coziness of Tokyo Cafe, our orders
were already served. Impressively fast service there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUy4br5tXBFUFevShM_cZen0y9bAoGcAI57AmbHA0boiafkAgt_lYPduCqWOkkbV39rPg7v-7nurNfaNoTD58miiJ14-eX05duk_kURpB1uAJHK5_XsYgykd9ZNSfIJxdptvBaB4IpgTc/s1600/Katsu-Ju.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUy4br5tXBFUFevShM_cZen0y9bAoGcAI57AmbHA0boiafkAgt_lYPduCqWOkkbV39rPg7v-7nurNfaNoTD58miiJ14-eX05duk_kURpB1uAJHK5_XsYgykd9ZNSfIJxdptvBaB4IpgTc/s640/Katsu-Ju.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katsu-Ju, P250</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">My
Katsu-Ju (P250), a deep-fried pork cutlet, rested on a bed of steamed rice
topped with sweet tempura sauce, scrambled egg and leeks and was served in a ju
box. The pork cutlet alone was disappointing. It had the smell of raw pork
though it was thoroughly cooked. But when I started eating it with rice, sauce,
and egg, it tasted better. Better, but still normal. I think Tokyo Tokyo’s
Tonkatsu is better. (But wait ‘til I try the hyped Crazy Katsu.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZZ3HxAJztxn0zrAf_K2GZ85khSvU9ALYYoIZt20t_KJHTR866XDIymCeE0iRJwMaZ3YPaI_0rsXGyZPMbp8VS5NMHNDdQSHyPdpZfGEbdphNtzQOmeqlIzXANpEgoQDyjh3CUzXKkmQ/s1600/Ten+Ju.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZZ3HxAJztxn0zrAf_K2GZ85khSvU9ALYYoIZt20t_KJHTR866XDIymCeE0iRJwMaZ3YPaI_0rsXGyZPMbp8VS5NMHNDdQSHyPdpZfGEbdphNtzQOmeqlIzXANpEgoQDyjh3CUzXKkmQ/s640/Ten+Ju.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ten-Ju, P248</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Tyrone’s
Ten-Ju (P248) tasted better. He gave me half a shrimp to taste and to console
me from my so-so katsu. [HAHA] I am not sure if it came with the same sweet
sauce but I avoided it to spare me from all the sweetness. My rice was already
drenched with it, anyway. The shrimp was good by itself— crispy and tender—
but I have definitely tasted better tempura somewhere.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Both
our orders came with a little bowl of salad. It was refreshing eating them with
sinful deep-fried food though the serving was too small to enjoy.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kr_rYWpYozhC2tmhVpyFFIQTA2BC6vTVvtJJyqfjnBGYL9m1tdZnbtmY684aBF9i6v7rmk3-6nntG7Jquti0VYRq4FrqY7CDI-mFGBbS8v_JibId0uKrvvdi_ZTYaS_GMnr3STwR_GA/s1600/Garlic+and+Mushroom+Pizza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kr_rYWpYozhC2tmhVpyFFIQTA2BC6vTVvtJJyqfjnBGYL9m1tdZnbtmY684aBF9i6v7rmk3-6nntG7Jquti0VYRq4FrqY7CDI-mFGBbS8v_JibId0uKrvvdi_ZTYaS_GMnr3STwR_GA/s640/Garlic+and+Mushroom+Pizza.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garlic and Mushroom Pizza, P230</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Tyrone
chose to have the Garlic and Mushroom Pizza (P230). I am not sure where the
Japannese infusion was, but it was really good. Everything was in moderation.
It had a subtle garlic flavor and a generous serving of mushrooms. It was not
too tangy, salty and oily but it tasted really good. Of course, I would still
want my oily and salty pizza but this one’s a “healthier” option we can grab
from time to time. And it’s also cheap! I enjoyed the light crunch of the thin
crsut but I guess Tyrone enjoyed it more since he ate five slices.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOXNaGkpmSbOdD3J4TQVZSRXhgGBUvImpR3fixV6ZFEBhKw7D4Sn-MuAaoS55Y2EDe0uxOqacs1JA8amW5Fb9UJ8njZ4JWBiogCg0U1uio-dmIGHrAFilG3psGjws651-4KA1N0ldB2U/s1600/tokyo+cafe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOXNaGkpmSbOdD3J4TQVZSRXhgGBUvImpR3fixV6ZFEBhKw7D4Sn-MuAaoS55Y2EDe0uxOqacs1JA8amW5Fb9UJ8njZ4JWBiogCg0U1uio-dmIGHrAFilG3psGjws651-4KA1N0ldB2U/s400/tokyo+cafe.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I
loved it that there was no long line of waiting customers in their branch in
Venice Piazza in McKinley Hill. We stayed a bit in the restaurant chatting and
laughing with his “Johnny” jokes and hilarious stories. Very Tyrone, I must
say. [HAHA] I guess we were too busy eating, chatting, and laughing that we
forgot to take our (mandatory) picture. Since we were so full, we decided to
walk up from Venice Piazza to Lawton Avenue and take the jeppney instead of cab.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Last
Wednesday was our last date (for this month and October), but I am pretty sure that it will not be the
last time I’ll visit Tokyo Cafe. I would love to try their Creamy Ebiko Pasta,
Japanese Carbonara, burgers, and crepes! I know there’s still something worth unearthing
there aside from the so-so rice meals we ordered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I
still went to the 33rd Manila International Book Fair in SMX with Dane and
still felt full even at eight in the evening. So I guess it’s fair to say that
Tokyo Cafe made my tummy happy. [</span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoJp33pdeZtLcf7TZtVjIxLPJU84wKemUFXzZ9ReAbWQuhP7CENxRF9LbpvGkhEr1XMadCGpsnvZ0vJsiV1IAB29-GPVa_Ix9XtH5bQ3OZr7WjuCIaVbvs1rgY9UwJvKQH7jYwmuk278/s1600/love%252C+cheenee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoJp33pdeZtLcf7TZtVjIxLPJU84wKemUFXzZ9ReAbWQuhP7CENxRF9LbpvGkhEr1XMadCGpsnvZ0vJsiV1IAB29-GPVa_Ix9XtH5bQ3OZr7WjuCIaVbvs1rgY9UwJvKQH7jYwmuk278/s1600/love%252C+cheenee.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">TOKYO CAFE</span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 8.5pt;">Ground Floor South Wing Side, Main Mall Building, SM Mall of
Asia</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 8.5pt;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">Tel. Nos.:
556.0517/ 556.0699</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 10.5pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 8.5pt;">• SM The Block, North
Avenue corner EDSA Quezon City<br />
Tel. Nos.: 441.0821/ 441.0346<br />
• Unit 120-121 Mckinley Hills Piazza, Upper Mckinley Road, Mckinley Town Center,
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City<br />
Tel. Nos.: 403.6845/ 403.6844<br />
• Upper Ground Level, Robinsons Cybergate Plaza, EDSA corner Pioneer St.,
Mandaluyong City<br />
Tel. Nos.: 477.3844/ 477.3845<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
• Unit 323B, 3/F Bridgeway, SM Megamall<br />
Tel. No.: 477.3354<br />
• 31B Pre Departure Area, Southwing, Terminal 3, Villamor, Pasay City<br />
Tel. No.: 822.4161<br />
• SM Xiamen, 2nd Floor B-207, SM New Lifestyle, Xiamen, China<br />
Tel. No.: (0592) 505.6393<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 10.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: normal;">You may <u><a href="http://www.facebook.com/tokyocafephilippines">like them on Facebook</a></u> or <u><a href="http://www.tokyocafe.com.ph/">v</a></u></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; line-height: normal;"><u><a href="http://www.tokyocafe.com.ph/">isit their website</a></u> for more info!</span></div>
<br />
cheeneeD.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17578358974875402869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-544622594171965950.post-74907524470657039672012-09-14T23:10:00.003+08:002012-09-14T23:12:24.616+08:00My Not-So-New Running Shoes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtVuDiDf-0ocGt-l_T4Jlpb-lNKLH9hBg2a5IpgMT5I2C7B4h1-rvB67Kufy2JiHfUS8M_Nw7ghLfPk38KPhQaVxMzqPw6lKPyhufFJptGbQIKsnjUfgrtH9SgRuELqethlXC6cpNu88/s1600/Champion+Rubber+Shoes_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtVuDiDf-0ocGt-l_T4Jlpb-lNKLH9hBg2a5IpgMT5I2C7B4h1-rvB67Kufy2JiHfUS8M_Nw7ghLfPk38KPhQaVxMzqPw6lKPyhufFJptGbQIKsnjUfgrtH9SgRuELqethlXC6cpNu88/s320/Champion+Rubber+Shoes_1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I
was on a hunt for a new pair of ruunning shoes a few months back because I felt
the need to run. I started feeling uncomfortable with my weight,
panting halfway through daily routines. But I haven’t decided on
something until early August when a pair of low-budget running shoes in Payless
Shoe Source caught my interest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Of
course, I have always been interested with Nikes but with its steep price, a
non-rubber shoes person like me and not to mention kuripot by all means, buying
them would be excruciating. And so I settled for this pair of Champion running
shoes for personal but valid reasons.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
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</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">First
to catch my attention were the colors— three shades of gray and strong shades
of pink. I think gray is a simple color. It is neither too dark as black nor too
colorful and fancy as the others. Not that I dislike colors, I actually like
them (<u><a href="http://nicknamedcheenee.blogspot.com/2012/07/thoughts-on-fashion.html" target="_blank">especially over the past months</a></u>) but often only in subtle quantities. I
love how the bright shades of pink or orange make my pair noticeable. Pardon me
but I get a bit color blind when colors become complex. [HAHA]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Second,
Champion shoes, as what I have read over the internet, are low-budget running
shoes. True and flase. Compared with other top-of-the-line brands like Nike, it
is low-budget but, to reiterate my stinginess, spending close to P2, 000 for
something I won’t be using on a (very) regular basis isn’t low-budget. But the
pair was on sale so I bought them for a little over P1, 000. Good deal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6hlClzx6PY4DEpieeeLw1I_kiBszjeKfi29cKPyYu2qO7tgQKX5oQrGsKHPM4kZgRpH-LtxMR-Z1Bmxf2hVZ52Q5-SAV4oHuPR10QAgDMqUGrSCXvKW0GNPwNV4sL3aWc6V74Xt8NOI/s1600/Champion+Rubber+Shoes_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6hlClzx6PY4DEpieeeLw1I_kiBszjeKfi29cKPyYu2qO7tgQKX5oQrGsKHPM4kZgRpH-LtxMR-Z1Bmxf2hVZ52Q5-SAV4oHuPR10QAgDMqUGrSCXvKW0GNPwNV4sL3aWc6V74Xt8NOI/s640/Champion+Rubber+Shoes_2.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Third,
despite being categorized under low-budget, my new running shoes are
light-weight and are very comfy making it close with more famous brands that I
have tried on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Since
I bought the shoes, I haven’t gone out to run. That’s because it’s been raining
in the afternoons. Good thing an officemate signed me up to play volleyball so
I get to use them when we practice. (Now laugh! I actually don’t know how to
play volleyball! haha) But I’ll be hitting the pavements soon for a good run.
Promise. ;) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoJp33pdeZtLcf7TZtVjIxLPJU84wKemUFXzZ9ReAbWQuhP7CENxRF9LbpvGkhEr1XMadCGpsnvZ0vJsiV1IAB29-GPVa_Ix9XtH5bQ3OZr7WjuCIaVbvs1rgY9UwJvKQH7jYwmuk278/s1600/love%252C+cheenee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoJp33pdeZtLcf7TZtVjIxLPJU84wKemUFXzZ9ReAbWQuhP7CENxRF9LbpvGkhEr1XMadCGpsnvZ0vJsiV1IAB29-GPVa_Ix9XtH5bQ3OZr7WjuCIaVbvs1rgY9UwJvKQH7jYwmuk278/s1600/love%252C+cheenee.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />cheeneeD.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17578358974875402869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-544622594171965950.post-22330911580955984042012-09-07T21:37:00.000+08:002012-09-08T23:55:42.844+08:00Why I Will Never Forget 'The Phantom of the Opera'<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3n2iiAQDQJlYImbB67U2x6SwDdwiltEb1e5k4_6MxIu3pe1U9gsaY2UuNHl9rqiV5qcrvGT8coqn3MYg0bdt73H1jqcdRfeShQNtsIKDdJ31M9P3nhtAzwI1DM3lSDin4YSn-Dnu8FI/s1600/b+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3n2iiAQDQJlYImbB67U2x6SwDdwiltEb1e5k4_6MxIu3pe1U9gsaY2UuNHl9rqiV5qcrvGT8coqn3MYg0bdt73H1jqcdRfeShQNtsIKDdJ31M9P3nhtAzwI1DM3lSDin4YSn-Dnu8FI/s320/b+copy.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The timeless story of the Phantom, the
jealous lover who goes mad and wreaks havoc when his Christine falls for her
childhood friend, Raoul; the music that haunts forever; and the set, costumes,
and effects nobody will ever forget— these are the reasons why I fell in love
with the 2004 movie adaptation of the Phantom of the Opera. I thought it was
delusional to say that the play was as beautiful, or even more beautiful. “How
can they pull off the scenes requiring grandiose sets without having cuts?” I
thought to myself. I wondered how it captured theater-goers all over the world
for 26 years.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Luck of all lucks, I got free
Orchestra tickets to the Phantom of the Opera’s Manila leg at the Cultural Center of
the Philippines courtesy of <a href="http://macaronisupreme.weebly.com/" target="_blank">Maryowni</a>, my ex-lunch buddy-turned-fairy.
[wink] Tell me, is there a better way to end a very tiring and tragic August? I
bet none!</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>The Cast<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The Phantom of the Opera had a
lot of surprises for me. First on the list was when my most ignored (main)
cast of the Phantom’s world tour, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/clairelyonartist" target="_blank">Claire Lyon</a>, who plays Christine Daae, got me
mesmerized when she sang “Think of Me.” I looked forward to each of her songs
and by the time she sang “The Phantom of the Opera,” where she effortlessly hit
that very high last note, I had nothing but admiration for her. To borrow a
line from the Phantom’s note to Andre, “Christine was in a word, sublime.”</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoC7CcFiq3Rur4Gnfp_eIp5CbJrcnyYrOiWGAMyb2aQpOrYvdTlpVoIdGH-mlTzT49WqPptKD4L_pWDdpmz31wCcvHH_aXCsIbBUYgVhb5-BaQDzrOXYfGZGtDOtI3DUBAfvL4faqcnE4/s1600/The+Phantom+of+the+Opera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoC7CcFiq3Rur4Gnfp_eIp5CbJrcnyYrOiWGAMyb2aQpOrYvdTlpVoIdGH-mlTzT49WqPptKD4L_pWDdpmz31wCcvHH_aXCsIbBUYgVhb5-BaQDzrOXYfGZGtDOtI3DUBAfvL4faqcnE4/s640/The+Phantom+of+the+Opera.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Phantom of the Opera" song where Christine sings with a very steady high note in the end. Photo from Jonathan Roxmouth's Facebook page</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Speaking of admiration, these two
guys, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/jonathanroxmouth" target="_blank">Jonathan Roxmouth</a> and Anthony Downing, got mine even before I heard them
sing. They are just too handsome to go unnoticed, especially Anthony with his
bad boy look.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pXwEtlvHyVN-AC1Fg8BP9N9ICDOzsXO5hVEfWSg_foAtWC24GrT85McAJ1WAtoHWvmXT3N3hLvoFCpAGyAQMt-pgzNhEWbqj7YMNwYFMfPsTH8phSWWFuwTzZ-hMIiOLdXMg_Nl2W5A/s1600/raoul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pXwEtlvHyVN-AC1Fg8BP9N9ICDOzsXO5hVEfWSg_foAtWC24GrT85McAJ1WAtoHWvmXT3N3hLvoFCpAGyAQMt-pgzNhEWbqj7YMNwYFMfPsTH8phSWWFuwTzZ-hMIiOLdXMg_Nl2W5A/s640/raoul.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet the very charming Anthony Downing. Maryowni graciously tagged me her photos of Anthony during the press conference. <3</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKadutQF3CPoijgUAqzYOJPbzrd0HvwEPKIptrpU52L78hQIdqas4vqTzI_FV_h4M9SBSkUbMPZQpmK8rdAZNtlreY_LDvs0DVrF6VC1J5uVrFEoeDKgsDWsYkSK8VLoI2wJXyBpWDes/s1600/Phantom+and+Christine+in+Music+of+the+Night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKadutQF3CPoijgUAqzYOJPbzrd0HvwEPKIptrpU52L78hQIdqas4vqTzI_FV_h4M9SBSkUbMPZQpmK8rdAZNtlreY_LDvs0DVrF6VC1J5uVrFEoeDKgsDWsYkSK8VLoI2wJXyBpWDes/s400/Phantom+and+Christine+in+Music+of+the+Night.jpg" width="286" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Music of the Night" Photo from Claire's Facebook page</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Roxmouth, who plays Erik (the
Phantom), possesses a strong voice fit for both Phantom’s threatening and
adorable sides. His emotions were palpable. I became his captive as he sang
“Music of the Night” but I wanted to wake up from his spell to give him a hug
when he sang “All I Ask of You (Reprise).” I felt him, just like how I feel sad
for friends whose love, despite all efforts, remain unrequited.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Downing, meanwhile, did a good
job playing Raoul. When he and Christine sang “All I Ask of You” there was
nothing else on stage but love. If I were to play Christine and Anthony as
Raoul, I may not be able to sing beautifully, or at least utter something. [HAHA]</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Going back, even the supporting cast,
which sadly excludes me, was remarkable. My favorites
include Andrea Creighton (Carlotta), whose powerful voice and comedy made the
audience laugh and applaud. Add to that his equally comic partner Thabiso
Masemene, who plays Piangi! The best! I hope it was Dondi Ong, the Pinoy cast,
who played Piangi that night but I think it was the principal who did the part.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Favorite scenes</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
For a musical as renowned as the
Phantom of the Opera, I did not expect anything else but the best opera
singers. I was prepared to get enthralled by their voices, but you’ll never
know how little your expectations are until you watch it live. The stage, the
effects, their costumes— all these added grandeur. Not to mention that the stage changed smoothly in a blink of an eye and in flawless timing. Let me share with you five
of my favorite scenes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
From the moment the chandelier came to life during the auction until the Hannibal, I knew I was in for a
treat. I could not believe how extravagant the set was, the huge elephant
included, and how vibrant the costumes of the cast were, especially that
according to an entertainment website I have read, it used original costumes
from 26 years ago. Despite the extravagance, though, I think this scene would not be as lively without the humor of Carlotta and Piangi. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
My most favorite scene is perhaps
the favorite of everyone else who got to see the play— the subterranean candle-lit
world of Phantom. While we were on the cab on the way to CCP, I heard from
the primetime newscast, TV Patrol, that this scene was among the best. And it
was! When Phantom and Christine went down the “stairs,” the
execution was very clever. But it was fascinating, magical even, when the candles
started “floating” from underneath the “misty water” while they navigated
gracefully on a boat! HOW DID THEY DO THAT? Amazing is an understatement! It
was beautiful looking at the stage, listening to the “Phantom of the
Opera” and “Music of the Night.” </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/vI8Ezc9aUnQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Here's a video of "The Phantom of the Opera" that I have seen on Claire Lyon's wall courtesy of TheStageDoorCanteen</span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
If I have a favorite scene of Phantom and Christine, I also have one with Christine and Raoul and that’s on the rooftop. Aside from the fact that “All I Ask of You” is nothing else but romantic, the rooftop set was to me very realistic. Plus, just when I thought I have already seen every spot of the stage utilized, the Phantom appeared from behind the hanging angels when he sang the reprise.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But if you are not satisfied with
the solos and duets and want a showcase of people with powerful voices donned
in elegant ball gowns “partying” like royalties, the perfect scene for you
would be the Masquerade. More than a week after I watched the Phantom of the Opera, I still hear the
cast singing “Masquerade” complete with vibratos and rests. Embarrassing as it
may seem, I also find myself unconsciously belting out “Masquerraaaaaaaade!
[rest] Paper faces in parade!” [HAHA] I also like how the Phantom “gate crashed”
in the party dressed as Red Death. I was giggling with his wit when he sang “Why
So Silent?” more than being scared.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/5cAy4EUuRwM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This video was posted on Claire Lyon's Facebook page courtesy of TheStageDoorCanteen</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DWgSHZNfPfY3XWHP8b5ytJRwekebjnHeSjNQIlwXNWV_UGbGUWmSUJG3-RaT5PbR1dgi6WgUlxE-36hHwXSXav7FeHuCd_HcLe2zQ2MScSRAYqqLak_7rsypGWPU2BR9WbGo1K6szJ0/s1600/Christine+in+Masquerade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DWgSHZNfPfY3XWHP8b5ytJRwekebjnHeSjNQIlwXNWV_UGbGUWmSUJG3-RaT5PbR1dgi6WgUlxE-36hHwXSXav7FeHuCd_HcLe2zQ2MScSRAYqqLak_7rsypGWPU2BR9WbGo1K6szJ0/s400/Christine+in+Masquerade.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo from Claire Lyon's Facebook page courtesy of Jory Rivera.</td></tr>
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My fifth favorite scene was when Phantom and Christine sang “Point of No Return.” I had a hazy memory of
this scene up to the end probably because I then thought it was boring. But
when I realized it was already Phantom and not Piangi whom Christine was
singing with, I started to really worry. By the time they found Piangi strangled
to death, I was so scared I grabbed the arm of my chair. The effects got me!
[HAHA]</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6d69Oo2QkxZf0po-WXEvyRWByMsOY3gOw5s8dSfyYnyRXPIHlF2OGUuNZnpnogFQKUJvb8hK-Vqwz4G0HYwvJ6KdYujaKjxJapEimDzl7PGqwkgI50II_xMXVAsZwxRzcINv_u5EQxWo/s1600/IMG00708-20120828-2124+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6d69Oo2QkxZf0po-WXEvyRWByMsOY3gOw5s8dSfyYnyRXPIHlF2OGUuNZnpnogFQKUJvb8hK-Vqwz4G0HYwvJ6KdYujaKjxJapEimDzl7PGqwkgI50II_xMXVAsZwxRzcINv_u5EQxWo/s400/IMG00708-20120828-2124+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The infamous chandelier. Too bad this did not make it to my favorite scenes because I hoped that the chandelier crashed faster. [haha] Brutal! </td></tr>
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I heard (or read) from somebody that
if you are a newbie to musicals, watching the Phantom of the Opera will be a
good initiation. True. This will surely lure you to the wonderful world of
plays. The only danger is that the Phantom’s production is tough to follow. But if you are a big fan of musicals and have the money, what else are you doing? I
suggest you guys buy your tickets now. It may hurt your pockets a little bit,
but everything is worth it. </div>
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***</div>
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While giving the cast a standing
ovation during curtain call, I was sent back to circa 2004. I was watching the
Phantom of the Opera on TV in my high school classmate’s living room, wishing I
could watch it being performed live on stage someday. Dreams do come true, and sometimes, for free.
Until now, the experience makes me smile, not only because an entry in my phantom to-do
list got checked, but because I saw in the Phantom of the Opera things I grew
up with— singing, dancing ballet, and playing violin in the orchestra. I may not have ended up doing anything close to these three, but these will forever have a
special place in my heart. (:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phil Younghusband! I was hesitant to have a photo with him but what the heck, after all their guesting in ABS-CBN, I never had a chance to have a picture with him! </td></tr>
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<o:p> Here's more! I saw a BTS video of Phantom-Manila on youtube. (:</o:p><br />
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cheeneeD.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17578358974875402869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-544622594171965950.post-61307694087921790802012-08-27T16:03:00.000+08:002012-09-14T23:16:18.281+08:00Bright and Happy: The Start of My Kikay Adventures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4F64fBsmH1WG4TIELxHAo4aAc79RXqQdYtJQh1Mxw65NTRgQd6bGSbgP4QcEOIi6MiuEANC75WWFdvjHp1nzr985NeVgQATzzz7BD6j-zO2g0_5tspesWCWVLbKV8TPDkJ45RulwUBKk/s1600/duo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4F64fBsmH1WG4TIELxHAo4aAc79RXqQdYtJQh1Mxw65NTRgQd6bGSbgP4QcEOIi6MiuEANC75WWFdvjHp1nzr985NeVgQATzzz7BD6j-zO2g0_5tspesWCWVLbKV8TPDkJ45RulwUBKk/s320/duo.jpg" width="320" /></a>I confessed <a href="http://nicknamedcheenee.blogspot.com/2012/07/thoughts-on-fashion.html" target="_blank">here</a> that I am a frustrated fashionista. I always yearn to look good but end up fading against the crowd not necessarily because of my clothes but how I wear them. I also mentioned why my confidence level would not pass as confident and how I am in a phase right now where I gravitate towards more feminine choices. Browsing through the albums on my hard drive, I figured that this outfit could have been the start of this renewed kikay phase.</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">The day before we ate at <u><a href="http://nicknamedcheenee.blogspot.com/2012/08/roboto-san-japanese-buffet-grill.html" target="_blank">Roboto San Japanese Buffet Grill</a></u>, I wandered at Forever 21 in SM Makati. This was not something new or weird because I always do that whenever I go home to Taguig on weekdays. The weird part was, I did not look for tops or dresses. Instead, I went directly to the accessories section. I could not resist the urge to buy a few, cheaper, accessories and went to The Ramp and Landmark to look for more.</span></div>
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I planned on wearing an oversized top I asked from my sister and shorts so I'd be comfortable to eat to my tummy's content. Then I saw this bodycon skirt, which I bought months ago, inside the closet and decided (against all my fears) that it couldn't sit there untouched forever. For my shoes, I thought these pair that Mama bought when she was here matched the accessories I chose. And just like that, everything perfectly jived! And just like that, I got a few head-turns, though I really don't know if it was something good or bad. [haha] I was and still am happy looking at these photos. They remind me how simple clothes can look good if worn with confidence. [ (: ] </div>
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<i><span style="color: #444444;">Frorever 21 </span></i><i><span style="color: #444444;">oversized top, bodycon skirt, earrings, and necklace || bangles from Landmark || Parisian (SM Makati) shoes || </span></i></div>
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PS: Sorry. I do not really know how models/fashion bloggers do their poses. These are the best I got. [hahaha]cheeneeD.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17578358974875402869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-544622594171965950.post-57401546027483942072012-08-25T03:33:00.000+08:002012-08-25T14:48:25.128+08:00Our 5th at Elias <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaphayn2lCQ8eSDISUvwy2EMmXMB2WSenVvL8uP2RdFYCKgPQuTVXlQZOza3H_JllpK9iLfLXQDLL3ORKHyo0q6pQ1jPeZg5-Pql3h4T6nfsa7oEGNBiU7AWe5sNBfNZz3af_TDHTLSJI/s1600/elias.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaphayn2lCQ8eSDISUvwy2EMmXMB2WSenVvL8uP2RdFYCKgPQuTVXlQZOza3H_JllpK9iLfLXQDLL3ORKHyo0q6pQ1jPeZg5-Pql3h4T6nfsa7oEGNBiU7AWe5sNBfNZz3af_TDHTLSJI/s200/elias.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; text-align: justify;">On
our anniversary, Tyrone had a class to catch while I just came from a graveyard
shift. The rain incessantly poured, submerging most part of Metro Manila come
evening. But for a couple like us who celebrated anniversaries through phone
calls and packages in four straight years, nothing can really stop us from
squeezing in our planned simple lunch no matter what. (FYI: We had enough time
to learn time management.) So, off we went to Elias by Chef Florabel Co-Yatco in Bonifacio High Street. </span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Arial; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; text-align: justify;">Elias
got its name from a character in Dr. Jose Rizal’s book, Noli Me Tangere. Check
the menu and you will find dishes named after characters, places, and events in
Noli and El Filibusterismo. These sent me funny memories of my high school
teachers— our Noli teacher who always called our year ‘Terd Jer’ and the terror,
may her soul rest in peace, who made me wish I won’t be called to recite
because I never really read Fili until periodical exams. I also got reminded of
my Rizal Course professor who was very passionate about Rizal. Her eyes say it
all. [Inside joke there, sorry.] </span><span style="font-family: Arial; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; text-align: justify;">Of
course, I have better memories of my teachers than these, but I am more fond of
the funny ones. I’m pretty sure you can relate. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TPRCjKfUutQDsRLlkA6eOca9o7WS9rL0Loaor1DLVDdxSmshbrbRVzXiy3n4eTDpPI5bckDzFGgZcdd4XzMlbdbIKzkw1TcYT588yVmPD5bSVR9wnZTht5BuCiUI23jCci1-Nw3BkZU/s1600/inside+elias.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TPRCjKfUutQDsRLlkA6eOca9o7WS9rL0Loaor1DLVDdxSmshbrbRVzXiy3n4eTDpPI5bckDzFGgZcdd4XzMlbdbIKzkw1TcYT588yVmPD5bSVR9wnZTht5BuCiUI23jCci1-Nw3BkZU/s640/inside+elias.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Going
back to Elias, the restaurant’s design— from the chandeliers, to the huge
tables, wooden chairs, and paintings— was something tangible of how I imagined colonial
houses during their glory days. I have been to several of its kind
but I find them in a lifeless state. Elias was full of life and I felt like being
in a party during the colonial period. We noticed that the plywood they used
for the walls and chairs did not have a finishing of either paint
or varnish. But it did not make it less than decent. It was not too glitzy to be
intimidating, but not lacking in elegance to be trashy.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbdV4PKQfz3nvG75Ql5KFJU2QuKYLeQE3mWg3wdbHlsbKpdmDQCIKmyXByQQm218SDzt_EtMYyRnpgWdjhEGIGUyn_TWdTV5hTJ4yUMQFJF85Bi5Nc8CFjlIEIlAWEISWkXMR6wS1zdA/s1600/painting+at+elias.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbdV4PKQfz3nvG75Ql5KFJU2QuKYLeQE3mWg3wdbHlsbKpdmDQCIKmyXByQQm218SDzt_EtMYyRnpgWdjhEGIGUyn_TWdTV5hTJ4yUMQFJF85Bi5Nc8CFjlIEIlAWEISWkXMR6wS1zdA/s640/painting+at+elias.jpg" width="322" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">After
we made ourselves comfortable in a table for two, we gave the waiter our order.
It took a while for the food to arrive but they served a small bowl of cornicks
for us to munch on while we wait. We agreed that the cornicks were good. We even
fought for the last pieces. [hahaha] Maybe it tasted ordinary but we were
either too hungry to be deceived that it was more than the usual cornicks or we
considered everything that day special.</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlbztNnUaJBUKacyW8-6VyGMAPYVrwYNNUe1RpOMg2PZs6vqlR8IE6XrXCJFdP5BtEpdG7YonqRTLdQ3SPXbCA5jHDMMhF5QLjfeTXMarDG0TqltGe0nc3wb11iUbDEKmonIt-toKDDI/s1600/tiagos+triumph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlbztNnUaJBUKacyW8-6VyGMAPYVrwYNNUe1RpOMg2PZs6vqlR8IE6XrXCJFdP5BtEpdG7YonqRTLdQ3SPXbCA5jHDMMhF5QLjfeTXMarDG0TqltGe0nc3wb11iUbDEKmonIt-toKDDI/s640/tiagos+triumph.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiago's Triumph, P325</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">First
to arrive on the table was Tiago’s Triumph (P325), which was described in the
menu as oysters with spinach and bacon. That was an erratic description. There
was neither spinach nor bacon on the oysters. Just cheese. Albeit the absence
of the spinach and bacon, it was okay. Saved by the cheese, I must say. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">It
was actually my first time to eat oysters because if you happen to pass by
Talaba in Cavite, you wouldn’t want to eat this. [HAHA] But I take the blame for ordering oysters because
I thought it tasted like baked scallops. Oysters were too squishy and smelled
fishy. We managed to finish this, though, but I wouldn’t recommend this unless
you are an oyster lover.</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihI1kWI5XxrE32PjdskyeI9lyA2k6tuT7r1xItmfTdbE0ay6HUxmbAgMN81cJV9l52EETvpcaZQGABpLLchJY3dxB5jPe4lnbawfmjD-pRnyfVsYDr_5SYb6CgMjF5v1SEswvg2kDMyc/s1600/calamares+ni+tales.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihI1kWI5XxrE32PjdskyeI9lyA2k6tuT7r1xItmfTdbE0ay6HUxmbAgMN81cJV9l52EETvpcaZQGABpLLchJY3dxB5jPe4lnbawfmjD-pRnyfVsYDr_5SYb6CgMjF5v1SEswvg2kDMyc/s640/calamares+ni+tales.jpg" width="540" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calamares ni Tales, P225</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Next
served was Calamares ni Tales (P225). We had to order something we knew we
would like come what may. We have tasted a lot of calamares from different
restos that we can no longer pin point which was better. Tyrone describes it as
fresh, crispy but tender. I agree. There was also something special about its
bread crumbs. I later on read on the menu that the squid rings were coated in
desiccated coconut, which I think made it taste different. It came with a
garlic mayo though the dish was good enough without it. We used the dip
with the oysters, instead. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXkLdRO57rdnWDBhRjuHF3MfDB9bk2DeMY8s4Kb8mxBS7ezbJyKqNOCOf63Wxk-CvMGMTepvbvY0eebWF17rpM6mqXVU-QgfGbFB50PHVxGDJNNCdUyTrl4fNdgcylnKlOQ0idv8Fgsk/s1600/salome%2527s+secret.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXkLdRO57rdnWDBhRjuHF3MfDB9bk2DeMY8s4Kb8mxBS7ezbJyKqNOCOf63Wxk-CvMGMTepvbvY0eebWF17rpM6mqXVU-QgfGbFB50PHVxGDJNNCdUyTrl4fNdgcylnKlOQ0idv8Fgsk/s640/salome%2527s+secret.jpg" width="576" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salome's Secret, P295</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">By
the time the binusog na pusit dish called Salome’s Secret (P295) arrived, I
thought we were headed for another disappointment because the squid was a
little bit tough and chewy. But who would have thought that its sweet sauce
would make Salome’s Secret our favorite? Remember when I said <u><a href="http://nicknamedcheenee.blogspot.com/2012/08/mezza-norte-norths-mercato.html" target="_blank">here</a></u> that I don’t
like sweet viands? I take it back. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJs3Y8Rmen4HQkZgImu2inPNGk0LjB8-JMA2IL-EVYSOuzKXFPB8R6lPxY7pWvKocgq-ZanvKQ_367B_NMRbW1vSqWONJ9uCeZvyM1I62kKuOAcidt83IDpI0lpo3yDYOfSfFB8zHpFvo/s1600/adobo+rice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJs3Y8Rmen4HQkZgImu2inPNGk0LjB8-JMA2IL-EVYSOuzKXFPB8R6lPxY7pWvKocgq-ZanvKQ_367B_NMRbW1vSqWONJ9uCeZvyM1I62kKuOAcidt83IDpI0lpo3yDYOfSfFB8zHpFvo/s640/adobo+rice.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adobo Rice, P250</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Last
served was the Adobo Rice (P250), which was a bowl of rice goodness! It was
topped with adobo flakes and salted egg. It was actually a few weeks after we
dined there that I realized it was salted egg. I was about to compliment here
that the tofu was good and did not feel like I bited into a sponge. [haha] Good
thing I checked the price online and was able to read that it was salted egg
and not tofu. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">When
we finished everything, dessert was served. I chose to have Iday (P180), suman
with chocolate fondue, because I am fondly called such. It was good but I would
rather have “latik fondue” instead of chocolate. Tyrone ordered Halo-halo ni
Elias (P95) in lieu of a drink. He secretly sipped from my bottomless iced tea
(P95).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDkXF6XJ4q4jg5ZU1WiqFSCIHd4cpSTWJ9AdAfzu5ifXvRrJIu2bXV3NVWlFjKi7G1kw83jVmPwBfhiKotC5VLsPVtafIGHccHpm22s3cS0Cc8W_2IJ9nNgenPYtrsLkBVoWXronwN_g/s1600/iday+with+chocolate+fondue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDkXF6XJ4q4jg5ZU1WiqFSCIHd4cpSTWJ9AdAfzu5ifXvRrJIu2bXV3NVWlFjKi7G1kw83jVmPwBfhiKotC5VLsPVtafIGHccHpm22s3cS0Cc8W_2IJ9nNgenPYtrsLkBVoWXronwN_g/s640/iday+with+chocolate+fondue.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCWD4cZA5pd85YceVhEASobUA5iAmwzfcv_cGo2ZTBfDYInmv0O7xm6MrfLcbI5oT9pATKCh2ZUZ24hnFVKAsUajEUGRyrM0nObJ8Kgg-TYZGu7P4v-Wstns2Rz_U30Y3gKRPxfI4gMA/s1600/iday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCWD4cZA5pd85YceVhEASobUA5iAmwzfcv_cGo2ZTBfDYInmv0O7xm6MrfLcbI5oT9pATKCh2ZUZ24hnFVKAsUajEUGRyrM0nObJ8Kgg-TYZGu7P4v-Wstns2Rz_U30Y3gKRPxfI4gMA/s640/iday.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iday with Chocolate Fondue, P180</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hhcmnEizYHNKy04PZcG1ESa0_8-eiL844_txHa70Zt6DlbwIONUZXgzYF2jVGWMdD_9cMArulYXxC32ZFxrCDLjfqR2CxkVk9jK1i3NFRsoKH2kbQa7PxH7bCSV2ymuxrSQ21qAqsOg/s1600/halo-halo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hhcmnEizYHNKy04PZcG1ESa0_8-eiL844_txHa70Zt6DlbwIONUZXgzYF2jVGWMdD_9cMArulYXxC32ZFxrCDLjfqR2CxkVk9jK1i3NFRsoKH2kbQa7PxH7bCSV2ymuxrSQ21qAqsOg/s640/halo-halo.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halo Halo n i Elias, P95</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I
wanted to try the Sorbetero sa San Diego. The sorbetes cart was a bit out of
place if you ask me, but it made the restaurant more charming. Unfortunately we
were already too full for this. Talking about charm, we placed our payment
inside the rooster (picture below). And just when we thought the charm ended
when we paid the bill, I went to the C.R. and found more things I thought
were nice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7K15yKSwxwkUQK_j8V2mmh0qDrdfehI7TJVV1dzxfsaktvwqKCcLNtYH6kIA1ut5Eny6mfOhxFVRgV6P9-wqGnmlMZvmgMBaYF49WMid5UwwFDGdVj3P8lXLZ-3LaRhQfyuoUNRYQGA/s1600/sorbetes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7K15yKSwxwkUQK_j8V2mmh0qDrdfehI7TJVV1dzxfsaktvwqKCcLNtYH6kIA1ut5Eny6mfOhxFVRgV6P9-wqGnmlMZvmgMBaYF49WMid5UwwFDGdVj3P8lXLZ-3LaRhQfyuoUNRYQGA/s640/sorbetes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsieFQj_bzsIuwfRgMC1h11SP0qRLyddJKE7XoFZYeJ9mbSPJEyfWYpQjHIoq9uTWMESM_ndP46E7begB11wDJ-OJP3cY3PXxs2SXT315nU7U9VIV8LsnKtpcop66tES9vlJagvcgLvyI/s1600/bill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsieFQj_bzsIuwfRgMC1h11SP0qRLyddJKE7XoFZYeJ9mbSPJEyfWYpQjHIoq9uTWMESM_ndP46E7begB11wDJ-OJP3cY3PXxs2SXT315nU7U9VIV8LsnKtpcop66tES9vlJagvcgLvyI/s640/bill.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCy25bzSoU-pj-_AYT_bcbTbEg7EjtleGsE1-ukGrdC4AwIA7P9-WZLEttw1N1AknNNMGezcsVmb2IltpFtFPZZnow7PcNLOkEwSrzHHAfda5ADwKSrUTtfdSG4GdPu6EMFErMY5H7dls/s1600/mirror.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCy25bzSoU-pj-_AYT_bcbTbEg7EjtleGsE1-ukGrdC4AwIA7P9-WZLEttw1N1AknNNMGezcsVmb2IltpFtFPZZnow7PcNLOkEwSrzHHAfda5ADwKSrUTtfdSG4GdPu6EMFErMY5H7dls/s640/mirror.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOq__hjIMn1edUIFgl0Ur3-sGEiI5B6fNAgG-nC1ylwgMpgIlFfPa6idiVS41dQwnwKee79UwAbMHRx7CctdJhR335Gv1YHV4Bi3wAKacbfDR7ODdxo_RUe21NOTPO-PDwCS5lYXLSvI/s1600/paintings+at+elias_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOq__hjIMn1edUIFgl0Ur3-sGEiI5B6fNAgG-nC1ylwgMpgIlFfPa6idiVS41dQwnwKee79UwAbMHRx7CctdJhR335Gv1YHV4Bi3wAKacbfDR7ODdxo_RUe21NOTPO-PDwCS5lYXLSvI/s640/paintings+at+elias_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Our
bill reached a little over P1,400 but we paid only half the price. ;)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Elias
was a good choice to celebrate our fifth anniversary. We had a great time
catching up and doing what we do best together— talking, laughing, and eating. I
plan to go back some other time because I want to try most of their food, especially the weird pizzas like Laing Pizza. Perhaps when there is a family occasion and
someone’s willing to pick up the tab or if I’m with my friends. It’s pricey but
the experience is worth it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><u><a href="http://www.foodrepublic.info/desserts/elias-by-crisostomo-the-menu/" target="_blank">Check out their menu here!</a></u></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I
would like to thank you for those five wonderful years. We withstood the
complications of being in a long distance relationship, add to that the
immaturity that came with our age. [haha] But still I thank you because we are
growing in age together (quite literally) to become better people. And thank
you for being my special best friend, who tirelessly hears me rant and dream
over and over again. The special best friend whom I’d never hesitate to cry to
over my failures, disappointments and frustrations. You would probably think
it’s already late when you get to read this but I’m telling you, this message
is timeless. Thank you, clown, and good luc</span>k! :*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoJp33pdeZtLcf7TZtVjIxLPJU84wKemUFXzZ9ReAbWQuhP7CENxRF9LbpvGkhEr1XMadCGpsnvZ0vJsiV1IAB29-GPVa_Ix9XtH5bQ3OZr7WjuCIaVbvs1rgY9UwJvKQH7jYwmuk278/s1600/love%252C+cheenee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoJp33pdeZtLcf7TZtVjIxLPJU84wKemUFXzZ9ReAbWQuhP7CENxRF9LbpvGkhEr1XMadCGpsnvZ0vJsiV1IAB29-GPVa_Ix9XtH5bQ3OZr7WjuCIaVbvs1rgY9UwJvKQH7jYwmuk278/s1600/love%252C+cheenee.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoJp33pdeZtLcf7TZtVjIxLPJU84wKemUFXzZ9ReAbWQuhP7CENxRF9LbpvGkhEr1XMadCGpsnvZ0vJsiV1IAB29-GPVa_Ix9XtH5bQ3OZr7WjuCIaVbvs1rgY9UwJvKQH7jYwmuk278/s1600/love%252C+cheenee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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ELIAS<br />
North East Superblock, Upper Ground Level<br />
Bonifacio High Street Central<br />
30th Avenue corner 7th Avenue<br />
Fort Bonifacio Global City<br />
Open daily from 11 AM to 11 PM<i style="background-color: white; color: #272727; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, 'Lucida Sans Regular', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><span class="skype_pnh_container" dir="ltr" tabindex="-1"> </span></i><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #272727; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, 'Lucida Sans Regular', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><span class="skype_pnh_container" dir="ltr" tabindex="-1"><span class="skype_pnh_highlighting_active_common" dir="ltr" skypeaction="skype_dropdown" title="Call this phone number in Philippines with Skype: +6325467977"><span class="skype_pnh_textarea_span"><span class="skype_pnh_text_span"><span class="skype_pnh_print_container">(02) 546 7977</span><span class="skype_pnh_container" dir="ltr" tabindex="-1"><span class="skype_pnh_mark"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<u style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.foodrepublic.info/desserts/elias-by-crisostomo-the-menu/" target="_blank">Check out their menu here!</a></u></div>
cheeneeD.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17578358974875402869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-544622594171965950.post-5084564040936498682012-08-21T06:03:00.002+08:002012-08-22T09:15:54.859+08:00Something To Look Forward ToIt is here again, my roller coaster of emotions. I have no idea how anxiety and sadness were able to creep back to my system again. Or maybe I know the real reason but I do not want to acknowledge it.<br />
<br />
Right before anxiety and sadness consumed me last night, my room mate, who just came from a Bohol trip, arrived. We had a small, yet really encouraging, talk about her trip and the vacation to Ilocos she had about a week before. I got to tell my own travel stories to her too, which also allowed me to be thankful that I have had travels from the time I was little and, not that I am comparing, at least had traveled more. After she left, I just sat in my bed thankful for the blessings and prayed that my night shift will go well. I also had a funny convo with my sister and boyfriend and everything became okay. Especially that I had Big N' Tasty and Twister Fries before my shift.<br />
<br />
Instead of sulking in despair, I thought of something to look forward to and came up with these:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18YLNPFg2IoEWWzDJSK9dJKLdOXGQV8oNAnTrEgYpwJPKAwBKY4vbC61A5i-i5Qk8BeIptUnmh6WhxJA4vwQySVTp8tLbGPozmXqHnENoeQZk3DirvYMAyl1rmJ2ggPu6mb1qeefPRdQ/s1600/maxs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18YLNPFg2IoEWWzDJSK9dJKLdOXGQV8oNAnTrEgYpwJPKAwBKY4vbC61A5i-i5Qk8BeIptUnmh6WhxJA4vwQySVTp8tLbGPozmXqHnENoeQZk3DirvYMAyl1rmJ2ggPu6mb1qeefPRdQ/s640/maxs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Finally, Max's Chicken All-You-Can is back! I don't have a record to speak of because I was not able to try this in the past years. I blame it to the long lines. All the time. So now I'm really counting on my pig out bud, <a href="http://writeorgocrazy.blogspot.com/">Dana</a>, to come with me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsGjNgGXNYdY96uHcVy6d1c4g3fobDkKwdahWYMawUKc8Khkdz01VjV_dgIhwQQvD4C96DUsoTinJPDaNplZAvvKBpy9OG_z6bq0yYqQirHpqgPJnkunN9tkl-rv8H00o87GdHgluP4w/s1600/mibf+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsGjNgGXNYdY96uHcVy6d1c4g3fobDkKwdahWYMawUKc8Khkdz01VjV_dgIhwQQvD4C96DUsoTinJPDaNplZAvvKBpy9OG_z6bq0yYqQirHpqgPJnkunN9tkl-rv8H00o87GdHgluP4w/s400/mibf+2012.jpg" width="392" /></a></div>
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I am also excited to go to the book fair with my friend, <u><a href="http://www.tarateh.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Dane</a></u>, though I have yet to finish the books I bought during <a href="http://www.nicknamedcheenee.blogspot.com/2011/09/the-32nd-mibf-written-world-and-beyond.html" target="_blank">last year's MIBF</a>. [HAHA]. I actually have a few books listed but I have yet too prepare my budget. [HAHA]<br />
<br />
But the real thing that makes me really excited for September is my family. They'll be coming over to Manila late September to celebrate my parents' wedding anniversary. I don't really have to say much except that the idea of having the family over is exciting.<br />
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There are a lot more! So, smile, Cheenee. Smile. You deserve to be happy just like everyone else. :)<br />
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<br />cheeneeD.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17578358974875402869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-544622594171965950.post-30776958898485208922012-08-13T18:14:00.000+08:002012-08-13T18:23:47.565+08:00London 2012-Inspired<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQeudIPBCTu6N4qenVgG-OrN90yXS_wzv6kAV_81jDeIUKV-X5ORdo4E2b9z6z3LzAy7gILZVCt5gGNSn3ovS-bMXM60bqdOs_uedekIfZQNCNgHJqTsRVs5Hy74bKiSG2VrjGDdwoSs/s1600/Brit_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQeudIPBCTu6N4qenVgG-OrN90yXS_wzv6kAV_81jDeIUKV-X5ORdo4E2b9z6z3LzAy7gILZVCt5gGNSn3ovS-bMXM60bqdOs_uedekIfZQNCNgHJqTsRVs5Hy74bKiSG2VrjGDdwoSs/s200/Brit_6.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">As the games end, let me share with you a few things
I bought to serve as memorabilia of London 2012. They may not be officially
from London, but four years later, these will remind me how fascinated I have
been with Great Britain’s flag.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I did not plan on buying stuff with Great Britain’s
flag on it, though I admit its colors always catch my attention. What I was
looking for two weeks ago was a new line-free notebook where I can write my
chopsuey thoughts and everything else I wish to doodle. Plus, I haven’t had a
pretty notebook lately.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">There were a lot of nice notebooks in FullyBooked but
all were steeply priced. I love notebooks but I am not a fool to spend P400+++
on them. My desperation led me to Tickles, the store where cute stuff are sold.
I was already bent on buying the “Notella” notepad since I love Nutella so much
but when I got to the other side, I saw notebooks with the US and UK flags as
covers. I checked and found it line-free though the pages have minimal prints.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqM8L4bdgoEtfv-8zEGMk6dwZIjYqxZgM4pQCdo_abgLKext5nG_fgiS13QZRIspXsPLjsajG-J8xiZ_4hb41_rT8E421XBjJtZNfySeKgMPmlGAnBMER2WZRY0X6eo2l-9yZny8biJuw/s1600/Brit_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqM8L4bdgoEtfv-8zEGMk6dwZIjYqxZgM4pQCdo_abgLKext5nG_fgiS13QZRIspXsPLjsajG-J8xiZ_4hb41_rT8E421XBjJtZNfySeKgMPmlGAnBMER2WZRY0X6eo2l-9yZny8biJuw/s640/Brit_5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjo6rnmgA3kaeCrBstnoOjx5ojn0ztKtVq-RLgu67z5FD4wP09FEA3MJqr-q0Cfx2oi6MtCTZeul6KnJn3bj_qiKpEmG2ll0OnyzrtOVRiDzkzkIfAhqekTMCLphcfgAnNGDhGryABYw/s1600/Brit_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjo6rnmgA3kaeCrBstnoOjx5ojn0ztKtVq-RLgu67z5FD4wP09FEA3MJqr-q0Cfx2oi6MtCTZeul6KnJn3bj_qiKpEmG2ll0OnyzrtOVRiDzkzkIfAhqekTMCLphcfgAnNGDhGryABYw/s640/Brit_3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLfo0ny-6uwJkxyKqNU7kJS7ZwVwM407bE1RhYQendA2KQG20yk96bQyPBXbKdF5iMIy2OxWTYgHW6Zg1cOQYNGkin3tLsyP6jliDRFFKo2rL_oDNv7S8GMKJVDWfnP-Fk2eBQOXk8po/s1600/Brit_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLfo0ny-6uwJkxyKqNU7kJS7ZwVwM407bE1RhYQendA2KQG20yk96bQyPBXbKdF5iMIy2OxWTYgHW6Zg1cOQYNGkin3tLsyP6jliDRFFKo2rL_oDNv7S8GMKJVDWfnP-Fk2eBQOXk8po/s640/Brit_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;">The prints actually reflect my dream to travel the
world so I bought it. (:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">When I was on my way to the train station, I dropped
by a department store to check out pens and pencils. My pretty notebook
deserves a worthy partner, you know. But I found this cellphone case instead! A
perfect pair for my notebook. (:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkbIma3D8sGw-OraM00MPmxsD9jXlTVKjcq91QAAua6VxqQhUNRAK5o5tIYRRRGpxJ0-k7mRN6c3PlxH5NnBWg1cq79wBut8ROYoq4o16Q99-uB3EL-TEIT_TCw28kUtY3cSvp_JQ2fs/s1600/Brit_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkbIma3D8sGw-OraM00MPmxsD9jXlTVKjcq91QAAua6VxqQhUNRAK5o5tIYRRRGpxJ0-k7mRN6c3PlxH5NnBWg1cq79wBut8ROYoq4o16Q99-uB3EL-TEIT_TCw28kUtY3cSvp_JQ2fs/s640/Brit_1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZ2XI3UP4C7rj3dsIvksDs3u5jTv9uOzFdjF9LxL1MnGGFiK9gzsFe2o_IA1CHrEl0AItKVEHAWSpE8gyj7OPb0LVvsfLo0hvukNIQOEBc_bGo3PEmCyRyf7MZKHB9JL1Py59SapKVkE/s1600/Brit_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZ2XI3UP4C7rj3dsIvksDs3u5jTv9uOzFdjF9LxL1MnGGFiK9gzsFe2o_IA1CHrEl0AItKVEHAWSpE8gyj7OPb0LVvsfLo0hvukNIQOEBc_bGo3PEmCyRyf7MZKHB9JL1Py59SapKVkE/s640/Brit_7.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;">Segue. I have more reasons to love UK, royalties
aside! I found my new crush while watching the diving competition early Sunday
morning. Tom Daley. I do not even know how to introduce him so... Tom Daley.
The diver from Great Britain. The one who protested because of flash
photography. The happiest bronze medalist I have ever seen. Him. Tom Daley.
[Sorry na kinikilig ako. Haha]</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iyfsIPXQ_ivfEiYcEgX0MUuuFRS7RpuVG9k1toUCqUQCriqYsJDbiUEDTS9hWxrZm5LPf8HPRKyCAvXoORSH9DiPINSfXbDWl_4L3UFDX8vZpkNqXms8giQMQfXD8KcO9HTpUSktSiI/s1600/Tom-Daley-and-Peter-Water-011-285x280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iyfsIPXQ_ivfEiYcEgX0MUuuFRS7RpuVG9k1toUCqUQCriqYsJDbiUEDTS9hWxrZm5LPf8HPRKyCAvXoORSH9DiPINSfXbDWl_4L3UFDX8vZpkNqXms8giQMQfXD8KcO9HTpUSktSiI/s400/Tom-Daley-and-Peter-Water-011-285x280.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">What a charmer this guy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I hope these (things and Daley) will remind and inspire me to find my way to Rio
2016... or wherever in 2020. #keepthefaith #dreamon<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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cheeneeD.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17578358974875402869noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-544622594171965950.post-20546928775888399722012-08-04T01:54:00.001+08:002012-08-04T09:04:13.098+08:00Mezza Norte: The North's Mercato<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_Dzyllax5vRZYjsiXaVZ0VjECJWZcta8W-ech4xAXYvjzXp8phNBwGRwXWll49tHLJ5hrtRZibob8nrZ6XglFDNjPXNeOgtO7h3ycUGZPv_0RdlBQzwgDaWp2IHgV5EkK7UqxyXe8sg/s1600/mezza+norte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_Dzyllax5vRZYjsiXaVZ0VjECJWZcta8W-ech4xAXYvjzXp8phNBwGRwXWll49tHLJ5hrtRZibob8nrZ6XglFDNjPXNeOgtO7h3ycUGZPv_0RdlBQzwgDaWp2IHgV5EkK7UqxyXe8sg/s200/mezza+norte.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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One reason that stops me from inviting my dorm mates to a Midnight Mercato food trip is the long haul from Quezon City to Bonifacio Global City. I have been there on an early Saturday morning with my sister and her hubby but it took me an hour to get up from bed and another 30 plus minutes to commute all the way to Taguig! So when I saw Anton’s <u><a href="http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/2012/06/mercato-north-the-mercato-centrale-experience-comes-to-quezon-city.html">teaser photo on Mezza Norte (Mercato of the North),</a></u> I swore I would not miss it. True enough, my dorm mates and I trooped to Techno Hub on its opening last July 26.</div>
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The crowd was thick when we arrived around 10:00 in the evening. If it weren't for the good food that I expected to have, I might have suggested we go to a nearby restaurant where we can sit ourselves comfortably. But that’s not me and that’s not the correct foodie spirit. [haha] I forced my way to be there on opening day despite the sudden over time at work so why mind the crowd?</div>
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Initially, my dilemma was deciding on what food to devour since I was not craving for anything in particular. But when I saw a girl eating a huge slice of cheese pizza, I knew right away what I wanted. My friends, Mei, Aubrey, Abbey, and I went our separate ways looking for food.</div>
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I found my pizza right acorss the area where the live band played and judging from the number of customers waiting for their orders, I got the impression that it was good. The big pans of pizza were ready and were heated in their “vintage” oven toasters upon order. They had it in cheese, angus beef, pepperoni, and supreme, which I ordered.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huge pans of pizza</td></tr>
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My huge slice of supreme pizza (P150) was already cool when we found vacant seats. Despite this, the dough remained soft and pleasant to chew. I now think it could have been more perfect if I had with me <u><a href="http://nicknamedcheenee.blogspot.com/2012/07/papa-johns-unlimited-pizza-experience.html">Papa John’s garlic sauce</a></u>. [ :D ] The slice was not only big but was also thick. It had another layer of “toppings” of green bell peppers, meat, onions, and cheese at the center so it was like having two thin crust pizza in one slice. It was neither too salty nor greasy as other mainstream pizza.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLVHyYH7o3NewLTfU3W1FKPRUuJqdljbgyD5LRwnBzLCcnyXJkBfdU9iEPhE1eE7G_jmPrH26SnewXIECladvPEmoTZ6GJdPKKfS0KLyOToGIo59YKpqfUPtPiO2N8CVT5NCKGuFFJds/s1600/Supreme+Pizza_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLVHyYH7o3NewLTfU3W1FKPRUuJqdljbgyD5LRwnBzLCcnyXJkBfdU9iEPhE1eE7G_jmPrH26SnewXIECladvPEmoTZ6GJdPKKfS0KLyOToGIo59YKpqfUPtPiO2N8CVT5NCKGuFFJds/s640/Supreme+Pizza_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsqyDb9udsB2bARA6smEbvBHoQUi5PHSA0nFFijtBaOQZDp-9w4yRZ8RBEY4CKs1K_vo3Qh-6LJ406lIbCnCjqOxEK_Q1do0TvNOXbi6Gs02ZmDRH2C6hEuJFSq-3cbuimcbOz09NJF8/s1600/Supreme+Pizza_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsqyDb9udsB2bARA6smEbvBHoQUi5PHSA0nFFijtBaOQZDp-9w4yRZ8RBEY4CKs1K_vo3Qh-6LJ406lIbCnCjqOxEK_Q1do0TvNOXbi6Gs02ZmDRH2C6hEuJFSq-3cbuimcbOz09NJF8/s640/Supreme+Pizza_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A piece of the huge Supreme Pizza (P150)!</td></tr>
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That one time I have been to Mercato, I fell in love with the potato balls sold by Mad About Spuds. The small potato balls melted in my mouth while the generous amount of herb-ed cheese sauce made me dig for more, not minding how heavy it made my stomach feel. I saw Mad About Spuds in Mezza Norte and ordered a bowl of potato balls (P55).</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzDq4lWbJv3uju7ODfyAEhAt75AeU14wK6VCRn_lMBemjjf_GlXE3wnNVAQsuD93n5gCZEwDrPAmfDo4KeRXXvOS9ZpcX-FlXuxAKDbDZhGPGYWbKS32mLlijqzKdwWilnEu8LkB4FUY/s1600/Mad+About+Spuds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzDq4lWbJv3uju7ODfyAEhAt75AeU14wK6VCRn_lMBemjjf_GlXE3wnNVAQsuD93n5gCZEwDrPAmfDo4KeRXXvOS9ZpcX-FlXuxAKDbDZhGPGYWbKS32mLlijqzKdwWilnEu8LkB4FUY/s640/Mad+About+Spuds.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mad About Spuds</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4x2UMNkhe5W_AMyLfNi4MJNyW7U1vuQv6hO6ABb0Jf1TRdfAA4Zco3TVOXnBO0E4d6h0nXckL6rkf9tmNSUK6xRVuv94OI7_Nqz-drU9ee4MmllboqFmlD0v_Cm5Jx3ZvlBYC55qMZcU/s1600/Potato+Ballsjpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4x2UMNkhe5W_AMyLfNi4MJNyW7U1vuQv6hO6ABb0Jf1TRdfAA4Zco3TVOXnBO0E4d6h0nXckL6rkf9tmNSUK6xRVuv94OI7_Nqz-drU9ee4MmllboqFmlD0v_Cm5Jx3ZvlBYC55qMZcU/s640/Potato+Ballsjpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Potato Balls <3 (P55)</td></tr>
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I also got to sample Abbey’s lasagna also from Mad About Spuds and, boy, it was so creamy! I love creamy lasagnas more than those with rich tomato sauce because it tends to be tangy.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9XyqY1ZkUUUZ6OmADvm7P7Hu-nVOl91IuQ5TD1_YMmICbmoTHIi-65GnVaOOcs8t4bq_R-84SaGY-v2yWy7rwyEZgfJnsT7d0Lbj1A_aZSBPVGnA0MpPf4LQq-gygPE-FjwcEb2fEjw/s1600/Lasagna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9XyqY1ZkUUUZ6OmADvm7P7Hu-nVOl91IuQ5TD1_YMmICbmoTHIi-65GnVaOOcs8t4bq_R-84SaGY-v2yWy7rwyEZgfJnsT7d0Lbj1A_aZSBPVGnA0MpPf4LQq-gygPE-FjwcEb2fEjw/s640/Lasagna.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mad About Spuds' Lasagna</td></tr>
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Aubrey, who loves anything pancit, found her night’s date in Pansit Ybanag Batil Patong, a dish unique to Tuguegarao. It is cooked right before your eyes. All of us got to taste a little of it but I understand I have to follow the right way of eating it before judging it. Aubrey said it was good, but to her, anything pancit is good. [haha, peace!]</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsgPlPwa1F3L_XPTnaYjjp7Lg5gbPLHvJryljBbCzY-O9kaMK2r6F-KjlUg6pns3ccHmIER7O8BEiyA2UOYO43mvhwzHCVBH9c8NEjpXx_xnFxCWv7ZiwnA-mPs0A5zvJS9A8tHO9pTc/s1600/Pansit_Batil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsgPlPwa1F3L_XPTnaYjjp7Lg5gbPLHvJryljBbCzY-O9kaMK2r6F-KjlUg6pns3ccHmIER7O8BEiyA2UOYO43mvhwzHCVBH9c8NEjpXx_xnFxCWv7ZiwnA-mPs0A5zvJS9A8tHO9pTc/s640/Pansit_Batil.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pancit from Tuguegarao</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgOX0_v0XFS9hPeTBY0gB4rOx_Bxs8j45BDyl7Vy0j2DSJXJLj9YghHnftVKg46TFksQwfmou7IYwi79prA-peqBSt2zoxziOYgPa4vhfE7PdS2uDA6W5TCWoy2uwAzbvNHBEVYZVaho/s1600/How+to+eat+Pansit_Batil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgOX0_v0XFS9hPeTBY0gB4rOx_Bxs8j45BDyl7Vy0j2DSJXJLj9YghHnftVKg46TFksQwfmou7IYwi79prA-peqBSt2zoxziOYgPa4vhfE7PdS2uDA6W5TCWoy2uwAzbvNHBEVYZVaho/s640/How+to+eat+Pansit_Batil.jpg" width="415" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instructions!</td></tr>
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Mei, meanwhile, had a sweet dish. I do not like sweet viands so I now forget what the dish was. [haha] She ended up buying barbecued tenga (ears) to replace the sweet taste in her mouth.</div>
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For dessert, I convinced myself to skip Merry Moo, which I really love, and try Mcohiko (P75/pc) instead. It was my first time to try mochi ice cream, bless my soul! [haha] I was delighted that the taste and experience that I have imagined were the exact taste and experience I had with my first Oreo and Milk mochi! [OA!! Haha] Seriously, I liked the teasing assortment of textures. Plus, I had thier Oreo flavor. Just like bacon, nothing goes wrong with Oreo! P75 is a bit expensive, though, for something smaller than my fist.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QSw6V8eqYtnLXpQ7HjYgMM7zMsZqelDJYd-Enc_71miImR2BElbhbC4oGN_FseDTadbcPYtIN2joS5w5mXkLrhuY1-pyxPi21JnsYLii_Fw9pGvU634VIGQKfXIUyzJyWfpVDln9E5E/s1600/Mochiko.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QSw6V8eqYtnLXpQ7HjYgMM7zMsZqelDJYd-Enc_71miImR2BElbhbC4oGN_FseDTadbcPYtIN2joS5w5mXkLrhuY1-pyxPi21JnsYLii_Fw9pGvU634VIGQKfXIUyzJyWfpVDln9E5E/s640/Mochiko.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wanted to try the mango and strawberry-flavored mochi too! Next time.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMQ8HKNQDfV7ARoo1KN8rElkDtUv_CCuLcECua25LZFJHtIWkrE1CI6SXbtf2P97BoBCniIicrJf8DSPZIcg-4HYm_uNstpVop7D4DL1Ep2yZ8hyphenhyphen_9LciOROagiZwdwL5cGP3pA6smJw/s1600/Mochi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMQ8HKNQDfV7ARoo1KN8rElkDtUv_CCuLcECua25LZFJHtIWkrE1CI6SXbtf2P97BoBCniIicrJf8DSPZIcg-4HYm_uNstpVop7D4DL1Ep2yZ8hyphenhyphen_9LciOROagiZwdwL5cGP3pA6smJw/s640/Mochi.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oreo and Milk Mochi</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3h2gV5uxvKLaTbGGJYU1pYy8yUfghZccP4suaXBHPLQvGh-BzIIRJ4nGoNOaSXS-tFOjRLmqDZVF2JHL_JtuiJlD5gjJijdZ_NvmVfNNLG2_qCJ15XGHTWg5uQjXhLmbwiidv1C8vQ0g/s1600/Boxes+of+Mochi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3h2gV5uxvKLaTbGGJYU1pYy8yUfghZccP4suaXBHPLQvGh-BzIIRJ4nGoNOaSXS-tFOjRLmqDZVF2JHL_JtuiJlD5gjJijdZ_NvmVfNNLG2_qCJ15XGHTWg5uQjXhLmbwiidv1C8vQ0g/s640/Boxes+of+Mochi.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mochi ice cream from Mochiko (P75/pc)</td></tr>
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If you don’t plan to try out the drinks, I suggest you buy or bring water instead. In my case, I regret that I bought a large cup of mango juice (P50) because it overpowered the flavor of the food.</div>
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Total damage? P330! Not bad. I felt full until the next day. [HAHA]</div>
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I want to try more of Mezza Norte! I took mental notes of stalls I want to try like Chef Resty’s Roast Beef, Manila Q’s Bagwang, the pancit of Tuguegarao to satisfy my curiosity, Dadi’s Bird’s Charcoal Grilled Chicken, the crunchy belly from Carlos Kitchen, Z’s sausages (yes, for the love of sausages), the burgers of Big Bob’s and Macheesemo, and of course everything that Sinangag Trip offers! It would take me more dinner dates to have all these. But as long as I am going ta have a blast with friends, eating and chatting the night away with them, I won't complain.</div>
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More Photos:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5odAVuQU6sXy9M4_Y-iTL0UnV2mUBSpEKjZky2Y7mx1gOu7Wff7N4_lx5UBYFM7Z7rmXSGQiGQvzTFNRcrJkbEX4PlVjFP8jX9HekSHh4xfhKh9N8ouHq5O9ptYztteo9Pudy0sqRG0Y/s1600/Mezza+Norte_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5odAVuQU6sXy9M4_Y-iTL0UnV2mUBSpEKjZky2Y7mx1gOu7Wff7N4_lx5UBYFM7Z7rmXSGQiGQvzTFNRcrJkbEX4PlVjFP8jX9HekSHh4xfhKh9N8ouHq5O9ptYztteo9Pudy0sqRG0Y/s640/Mezza+Norte_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's something about Sinangag Trip that excites me.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivL4W_JJoxiK-jSwWukCw5djDqz8Ts1CMl5-7j50HZ_Z42WwlfP7ErBjtbxw3Iojmi6secHJoBhjHKQenbg-hZsZT2y-dvMRcIS3xUWBW9ITaNtoodHIVppCD7w2jdVfBGqMhERLu-GAM/s1600/Mezza+Norte_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivL4W_JJoxiK-jSwWukCw5djDqz8Ts1CMl5-7j50HZ_Z42WwlfP7ErBjtbxw3Iojmi6secHJoBhjHKQenbg-hZsZT2y-dvMRcIS3xUWBW9ITaNtoodHIVppCD7w2jdVfBGqMhERLu-GAM/s640/Mezza+Norte_10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like this photo but it's blurred :(</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XgloEB7w657bJssNEqu1WYgooLVxtL7qxwgddVb5NY4Ae0A8j6_aaTwXc_nDMKjAo67PYK3y8COl5N4IU4IN2M9CVvnWWZJte4jlWdDeaVigrjxNro5afnyVTXs3V_q8Z3M5SLhlfic/s1600/Mezza+Norte_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XgloEB7w657bJssNEqu1WYgooLVxtL7qxwgddVb5NY4Ae0A8j6_aaTwXc_nDMKjAo67PYK3y8COl5N4IU4IN2M9CVvnWWZJte4jlWdDeaVigrjxNro5afnyVTXs3V_q8Z3M5SLhlfic/s640/Mezza+Norte_11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I kept coming back to this stall because of the smell of bacon. HEAVEN! I shall try you next time.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8g3mxUJJeI6tl-tuIk2JkONmysL-t9-sZDRmmUkM5oNXNTtHTDlK4diKoEszKr7NgL1M4wxaXMzLxp0ZXxZjvr-kLu-knTBKQ3-2ffbQmxsKab_l3-TAecFJbk52AxzULGWqh1PmM4zU/s1600/Mezza+Norte_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8g3mxUJJeI6tl-tuIk2JkONmysL-t9-sZDRmmUkM5oNXNTtHTDlK4diKoEszKr7NgL1M4wxaXMzLxp0ZXxZjvr-kLu-knTBKQ3-2ffbQmxsKab_l3-TAecFJbk52AxzULGWqh1PmM4zU/s640/Mezza+Norte_12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mezza Norte is at the center of Techno Hub. The big guy in blue is a reporter from GMA 7.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Zdnf6FpKNPDQbhblgpWTBLRRqd0Gnhx-UrHcDtZOYeWncZDaoPnB_4FaMrtJSTDfFpzJDA2fzhuYIlmdpGi8Y1KNCjKZTKV_MLCMANY4n0Clu9zfz01UjCFix-pKsYZoi37voUlnd_M/s1600/Mezza+Norte_14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Zdnf6FpKNPDQbhblgpWTBLRRqd0Gnhx-UrHcDtZOYeWncZDaoPnB_4FaMrtJSTDfFpzJDA2fzhuYIlmdpGi8Y1KNCjKZTKV_MLCMANY4n0Clu9zfz01UjCFix-pKsYZoi37voUlnd_M/s640/Mezza+Norte_14.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not (yet) a fan of Korean food but I might try this in one of my visits. There's also a shabu-shabu stall.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKeImyoKHe94-xpihmqvoO3FRdENQZ-yXa2zC2MJR_KTjxpxAWwx8jEYNgRSySZAIiLx_gj9PyiUD12h9MYr8t4bSAWkuWFOp-njMS8QDPtVz5SA2LtXvOdadCwC9GVMZcSKQlmaKt_Vs/s1600/Mezza+Norte_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKeImyoKHe94-xpihmqvoO3FRdENQZ-yXa2zC2MJR_KTjxpxAWwx8jEYNgRSySZAIiLx_gj9PyiUD12h9MYr8t4bSAWkuWFOp-njMS8QDPtVz5SA2LtXvOdadCwC9GVMZcSKQlmaKt_Vs/s640/Mezza+Norte_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was testing my camera (because it was not in the mood) when I took this photo. When I reached home, I saw Jason Ramos, team captain of the UST-MVT, on the screen. I also saw Gretchen Ho of Ateneo-WVT with Robi Domingo. Sana ako nalang si Robi! [HAHA] </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrInhLrtxEQ_VGvizn1wgYnCHQyIEVZCn3Hcq-BsfyMYPToiXaui9O9JF72oRd-ufP2A1rEMBqEiky8APSutlSOPcmCaV0uNuQXYMVGCVUjRCHuBvQRs-tKBj_SsQTUQGfS6Kl8Yv7hUE/s1600/Mezza+Norte_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrInhLrtxEQ_VGvizn1wgYnCHQyIEVZCn3Hcq-BsfyMYPToiXaui9O9JF72oRd-ufP2A1rEMBqEiky8APSutlSOPcmCaV0uNuQXYMVGCVUjRCHuBvQRs-tKBj_SsQTUQGfS6Kl8Yv7hUE/s640/Mezza+Norte_3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pancit of Tuguegarao is cooked right before you.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrOK5VAKs1PZo_hnuFhO0CpOA11X88uKloeBwLp5B9KH8ESSLAM3ok0YqSXyO2RpwVVhWKdFQLnATxJ4MvuMcf0oAw4Kj4ICXEs8waaIH57Y71QdpIXbllAjbHN-FN3BsVLKtifr8jC4/s1600/Mezza+Norte_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrOK5VAKs1PZo_hnuFhO0CpOA11X88uKloeBwLp5B9KH8ESSLAM3ok0YqSXyO2RpwVVhWKdFQLnATxJ4MvuMcf0oAw4Kj4ICXEs8waaIH57Y71QdpIXbllAjbHN-FN3BsVLKtifr8jC4/s640/Mezza+Norte_4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roasts</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0mpcWEOYzdFz3pfktz2NGEskQRMBTG9SKhPf3NyD7zkx9GhgWHgMqpzyITM3mim20AcdIgU1gZ7q7h-075w_qSquCL1cLE_FeBm35kvuDB3IUccGVnJGVX-59Bz7pq2mMEvv99s2IVs/s1600/Mezza+Norte_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0mpcWEOYzdFz3pfktz2NGEskQRMBTG9SKhPf3NyD7zkx9GhgWHgMqpzyITM3mim20AcdIgU1gZ7q7h-075w_qSquCL1cLE_FeBm35kvuDB3IUccGVnJGVX-59Bz7pq2mMEvv99s2IVs/s640/Mezza+Norte_5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I hope Mio Gelato sold its mochi gelato.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXsAi5q1D_WTG2zY6iMTazALZcLceUiwvhLamneoR0q9hazBo_vTo94c_flU3rZvfYqoUEM2SjfaxEU_YNGcdcSy3i33hDmRHeNWwZbaKVjvJRHQpc1gE9Z-Gx0JCE-yT7evXFcQfW3U/s1600/Mezza+Norte_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXsAi5q1D_WTG2zY6iMTazALZcLceUiwvhLamneoR0q9hazBo_vTo94c_flU3rZvfYqoUEM2SjfaxEU_YNGcdcSy3i33hDmRHeNWwZbaKVjvJRHQpc1gE9Z-Gx0JCE-yT7evXFcQfW3U/s640/Mezza+Norte_6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merry Moo's always a hit.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUC4u_CqTPk3N95K2BK1grND1UaJ6yNkw5mTKl2l2ONEfjrkTmIvsbhqNWFMHcSni0atJnxKsAZheSQnzQ4kzmipef7I08I1YFYPB7yhY_AT3wZ-0lBnhpSI8B7hptVi3FCDAQmTdvjQ0/s1600/Mezza+Norte_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUC4u_CqTPk3N95K2BK1grND1UaJ6yNkw5mTKl2l2ONEfjrkTmIvsbhqNWFMHcSni0atJnxKsAZheSQnzQ4kzmipef7I08I1YFYPB7yhY_AT3wZ-0lBnhpSI8B7hptVi3FCDAQmTdvjQ0/s640/Mezza+Norte_8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And talking about hits, this roast beef by Chef Resty is one of them. I'm gonna try this, too.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNR1OdYVbzh4f0SxyS0Xw64wTHM0MsshlS_eP2IBdXPScgjt8Q2q2dppcW_sJ6eDu-Vgac32p1hXIODJDcURzVZxHqjZGh2uV7wAJuo8pq6NVkVvbVb6M03geJmxrQ6uU-O6WgiTyQp0I/s1600/Mezza+Norte_9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNR1OdYVbzh4f0SxyS0Xw64wTHM0MsshlS_eP2IBdXPScgjt8Q2q2dppcW_sJ6eDu-Vgac32p1hXIODJDcURzVZxHqjZGh2uV7wAJuo8pq6NVkVvbVb6M03geJmxrQ6uU-O6WgiTyQp0I/s640/Mezza+Norte_9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've heard so muh of Big Bob's burgers but I never got to try them. Maybe next time this and Macheesemo.</td></tr>
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<u><a href="http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/2012/08/mezza-norte-the-mercato-of-the-north-is-now-open.html">More photos from Our Awesome Planet</a></u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoJp33pdeZtLcf7TZtVjIxLPJU84wKemUFXzZ9ReAbWQuhP7CENxRF9LbpvGkhEr1XMadCGpsnvZ0vJsiV1IAB29-GPVa_Ix9XtH5bQ3OZr7WjuCIaVbvs1rgY9UwJvKQH7jYwmuk278/s1600/love%252C+cheenee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoJp33pdeZtLcf7TZtVjIxLPJU84wKemUFXzZ9ReAbWQuhP7CENxRF9LbpvGkhEr1XMadCGpsnvZ0vJsiV1IAB29-GPVa_Ix9XtH5bQ3OZr7WjuCIaVbvs1rgY9UwJvKQH7jYwmuk278/s1600/love%252C+cheenee.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>cheeneeD.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17578358974875402869noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-544622594171965950.post-4862968024813765342012-08-02T02:01:00.000+08:002012-08-02T02:20:19.731+08:00Roboto San Japanese Buffet Grill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbj5bWYmD10r48-rgwFREpxMK6eTy-uL4FCGIoRV9umjBpzYC2NByzigtb5wfMAn-lzCIUlHM5t2653sJAOZc8kQJMMBW5LixSouuzImKm7YjcBxx4DFkzuj2LO2Bm-x6OkH9moheNmrk/s1600/robotosan+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbj5bWYmD10r48-rgwFREpxMK6eTy-uL4FCGIoRV9umjBpzYC2NByzigtb5wfMAn-lzCIUlHM5t2653sJAOZc8kQJMMBW5LixSouuzImKm7YjcBxx4DFkzuj2LO2Bm-x6OkH9moheNmrk/s320/robotosan+logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Just like a good friend who listens to our woes, food fills in a unique happiness we need. And for an average earner like me who finds joy in eating, my best food trip buddies are group buying sites. So, whenever I feel down, I open all my trusted group buying sites and check out food deals worth my meager but hard-earned money. On good days, I stumble upon restaurant deals that catch my interest, like <a href="http://www.facebook.com/RobotoSanJapaneseGrillBuffet">Roboto San Japanese Buffet Grill</a> (P344), a new buffet grill in Bonifacio Global City.</div>
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Tyrone and I stepped into a dominantly purple room with white panels. They call it the bird's nest design. I call it being trapped inside a molecule, though I'm not really sure how a molecule looks. Robot faces were painted on the back rest of the chairs just like in John and Yoko (also owned by celebrity Marvin Agustin), where the chairs have faces of Japanese people. What I admired so much was its wait staff. If John and Yoko have edgy servers in boots and mini skirts, Roboto San have chic space fighters in “spacesuits”. They wore a simple white long sleeved top and white pants paired with white Chuck Taylors. But the thick silver accents make it futuristic, galactic even.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtI2cv66PDobebvIpUN98BKxsw-gShA5TNeSBBRf5WrY0NQVKBEBphxAFf9k3bfRHwbp2EnrGDUA-AdENAQePp41oz2aOn2YcBMgQcKGLUeagRZnxhu_cabmrcPsnL8JmX_JxCXnkL2Q/s1600/RobotoSan_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtI2cv66PDobebvIpUN98BKxsw-gShA5TNeSBBRf5WrY0NQVKBEBphxAFf9k3bfRHwbp2EnrGDUA-AdENAQePp41oz2aOn2YcBMgQcKGLUeagRZnxhu_cabmrcPsnL8JmX_JxCXnkL2Q/s640/RobotoSan_01.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #999999;"><span style="color: white;">Inside Roboto San </span> </span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;">The futuristic </span><span style="background-color: white;">ambiance</span><span style="background-color: white;"> has a story. I read that the restaurant is pegged in an alien robot-invaded Tokyo, Japan in the year 2089. Roboto San is the man-made robot-hero who saves humans from robot-aliens. But at that moment, Roboto San was the hero who saved us from hunger!</span></div>
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As soon as the buffet was ready, I went directly to the raw meat section and got a few pieces of each kind. They had pork, chicken, beef, and fish all thinly sliced. Everything had almost the same marinades of Korean sauce, spicy, lemon pepper, rosemary, and others I have already forgotten. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrO5R3sx5u1NK1GSipd5oU3HnI2yWg3lNmHvwjDyo97RE65AiIQrit5lYCT_rDQzLundvku4XN7ASb8P8uycxaCepSGOs0uovTwLl69ZIV-5ob1uiJigyVob_52BAj0A_eusVqLJnA0FY/s1600/RobotoSan_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrO5R3sx5u1NK1GSipd5oU3HnI2yWg3lNmHvwjDyo97RE65AiIQrit5lYCT_rDQzLundvku4XN7ASb8P8uycxaCepSGOs0uovTwLl69ZIV-5ob1uiJigyVob_52BAj0A_eusVqLJnA0FY/s640/RobotoSan_02.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #999999; color: white;">My first plate of raw meat. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;">While grilling, I made a round at the cooked section and had some tonkatsu, beef with mushroom, and fish in garlic sauce. The cooked meal were just okay although Tyrone said the lechon kawali was good. Even the tempura was so-so. It was not like the tempura of John and Yoko that I have been fantasizing. Good thing I seldom expect much from buffet grills’ cooked section.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW00p98Wn89qDcToibYmncizjAzweU4LDP4Lsrs7VBUfcf1TDP1I3U1atSpPonFxkm2hoLGw5bGZ8nDrXxQx1U7BHIzpZI8GBCpb4TR3mRRZwAYr3wS8YUbMQOhd3A1mdown7HzVusfAE/s1600/RobotoSan_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW00p98Wn89qDcToibYmncizjAzweU4LDP4Lsrs7VBUfcf1TDP1I3U1atSpPonFxkm2hoLGw5bGZ8nDrXxQx1U7BHIzpZI8GBCpb4TR3mRRZwAYr3wS8YUbMQOhd3A1mdown7HzVusfAE/s640/RobotoSan_03.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #999999; color: white;">My plate of ready to eat food. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;">The raw meat side is a different story. The selection may not be as much as other buffet grills, but I have to say the marinades were pretty impressive. My favorite was the lemon and pepper marinade. It gave my mouth a refreshing flavor I </span><span style="background-color: white;">couldn't</span><span style="background-color: white;"> resist.</span></div>
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Another stand out were the skewers of Chicken Yakitori. The chicken remained soft and moist even after grilling and went well with all the marinades. My second favorite were the slices of dory fish, which were so tender and flavorful. The beefs, meanwhile, were unexpectedly soft. My least favorite were the pork slices because they easily became dry and tough.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5aLZlIWuRK7zFV6tgOqv3WH-uDD_kyKys-9PeJfo1HiFtBsvjGPURjjZco2loopH4h32r37QwVHl63GwV0hCum7JNokHWep0ivGiAWYCU_D2x8yw4QfzEQedXZxn51DQK85iu-LBLOk/s1600/RobotoSan_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5aLZlIWuRK7zFV6tgOqv3WH-uDD_kyKys-9PeJfo1HiFtBsvjGPURjjZco2loopH4h32r37QwVHl63GwV0hCum7JNokHWep0ivGiAWYCU_D2x8yw4QfzEQedXZxn51DQK85iu-LBLOk/s640/RobotoSan_05.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #999999; color: white;">My second plate of raw meat all set to be grilled. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I also got shrimps. They were nothing special, though. I thought that where there are shrimps up for grilling, there must be squids, too! I looked and waited but there were no squids served. Instead, there were street food mainstays like fish balls and squid balls and corns and white onions but decided that they did not deserve a space in my cramped tummy. They also served dimsum, where I got a piece of good siomai, and a sushi bar that I did not touch.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYhZYC_XDRNlddoOOdXz77CNs2-h2xHbbkxrjMPNbdWASavT9jGbEEffcDGmpXk_3z2J-xSTgvi-osLh2SSrmJ2eIj-QN9nSN9dXJY51DtEmDKMaq51W09N3PmWMIpVlcJDeootTzF51g/s1600/RobotoSan_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYhZYC_XDRNlddoOOdXz77CNs2-h2xHbbkxrjMPNbdWASavT9jGbEEffcDGmpXk_3z2J-xSTgvi-osLh2SSrmJ2eIj-QN9nSN9dXJY51DtEmDKMaq51W09N3PmWMIpVlcJDeootTzF51g/s640/RobotoSan_06.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #999999; color: white;">Grilling </span></td></tr>
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For desert, I had a shot glass of strawberry mousse in between my first and second batches of raw meat, and ended my big meal with six scoops of Big Scoop ice cream showered with colorful toppings. I came from a nasty tonsillitis so my appetite was really huge for ice creams. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvcCDyCIljxYUI72oHd8-pB2vqtQemtTN4DxfTAb1Q-VpzvLrX0WWRHwTSVQTaALtKLCaI0aHYcFRdgREDHbps4vA7E8M6WIRrO44eDcph_ZdxWzXXqHCIosnzphFa3d-BQDD3Hl4XnQ/s1600/RobotoSan_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvcCDyCIljxYUI72oHd8-pB2vqtQemtTN4DxfTAb1Q-VpzvLrX0WWRHwTSVQTaALtKLCaI0aHYcFRdgREDHbps4vA7E8M6WIRrO44eDcph_ZdxWzXXqHCIosnzphFa3d-BQDD3Hl4XnQ/s640/RobotoSan_10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #999999; color: white;">Clockwise: Strawberry mousse, 4 scoops of Big Sccop ice cream + 2 more scoops [ :) ], and Tyrone's halo-halo. </span></td></tr>
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I was not able to take pictures of everything Tyrone ate because we were busy eating, talking (gossiping), catching up, and laughing about anything that crossed our minds. Everything becomes better with good company, am I not right? [ <3 ] But I am so proud that his appetite that day was unusual he was able to eat a lot. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1fVxbHYiWfHKYLyg7Ait5oak3YjMoieexhbFcqsmLzeBoWkdohTEnW3CwLK-PvNVNLplIYSAMhzNp9JNtSOwgAJ9KMmI_eT6c53w1p6f7kDr6ht5glyypSDwD6rm7k98SDJIRr9cz5w/s1600/happy+diners_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1fVxbHYiWfHKYLyg7Ait5oak3YjMoieexhbFcqsmLzeBoWkdohTEnW3CwLK-PvNVNLplIYSAMhzNp9JNtSOwgAJ9KMmI_eT6c53w1p6f7kDr6ht5glyypSDwD6rm7k98SDJIRr9cz5w/s400/happy+diners_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Pig out sessions together? Sweet! [hahaha] <u><a href="http://nicknamedcheenee.blogspot.com/2012/06/table-for-two-please.html">Click here and know why we were so happy that day.</a></u><br />
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Overall, Roboto San was a nice experience— from the ambiance to the food, all were good. I guess Roboto San, the hero robot, would be happy to rescue you whenever your personal alien robots (e.g. bosses and frenemies) ruin your day. OR, to make it positive, whenever you just feel like eating a lot [wink].</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoJp33pdeZtLcf7TZtVjIxLPJU84wKemUFXzZ9ReAbWQuhP7CENxRF9LbpvGkhEr1XMadCGpsnvZ0vJsiV1IAB29-GPVa_Ix9XtH5bQ3OZr7WjuCIaVbvs1rgY9UwJvKQH7jYwmuk278/s1600/love%252C+cheenee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoJp33pdeZtLcf7TZtVjIxLPJU84wKemUFXzZ9ReAbWQuhP7CENxRF9LbpvGkhEr1XMadCGpsnvZ0vJsiV1IAB29-GPVa_Ix9XtH5bQ3OZr7WjuCIaVbvs1rgY9UwJvKQH7jYwmuk278/s1600/love%252C+cheenee.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1900839685">Roboto San Japanese Buffet Grill</a></i></div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1900839685"><i>2nd Floor, Crossroads, 32nd St., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig</i></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/RobotoSanJapaneseGrillBuffet"><i>823-6988</i></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQ3awlMdsuY-xufGIUQ6xEVyCFLhhJANWVPNbVHce2XkQuXGJMOVVdcwWyZNGauseURgUNCmuHFgZSPQfjN9aZvpZvxY4Af_l7yLQSJk5OVd5y0MUthGArskvHuNIB2AcYzMPRRNd8iY/s1600/Roboto+San+Price+and+Schedule.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="579" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQ3awlMdsuY-xufGIUQ6xEVyCFLhhJANWVPNbVHce2XkQuXGJMOVVdcwWyZNGauseURgUNCmuHFgZSPQfjN9aZvpZvxY4Af_l7yLQSJk5OVd5y0MUthGArskvHuNIB2AcYzMPRRNd8iY/s640/Roboto+San+Price+and+Schedule.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>cheeneeD.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17578358974875402869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-544622594171965950.post-81552942983385569282012-07-31T14:04:00.000+08:002012-08-02T02:03:05.005+08:00Thoughts on Fashion<div style="text-align: justify;">
No one else knows myself better than I do. So when I say that I have no affection whatsoever for fashion, believe me, I am lying. Deep inside, I have always admired girls who go out of the house fixed, those who still appear fashionable even in their most casual and rugged outfit, or those who appear effortlessly pretty.</div>
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I have always been comfortable in shirt and jeans, flats or flip flops, undone hair, without make up and accessories. There were a number of phases in my college days when I put on light make up but, eventually, laziness would get the better of me and my kikay attempts would again be relegated back to the farthest part of my thoughts.</div>
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Sometimes, I buy clothes beyond my comfort zone because I feel that I can pull off an outfit. You know what? I can! However, when my confidence level goes back to its normal low, I would feel ugly in front of the mirror, far from the self I have envisioned back in the store’s fitting room. The clothes end up getting fitted a lot of times inside my room but rarely make it out of the house.</div>
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This is my fashion history. I say history because it keeps on repeating.</div>
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The past couple of months, the story started all over again. I bought tops in shades of pink and even fancy buying neon and floral items. I bought accessories more than a couple of times and I actually use them on casual days (but not casual office days). I fell in love with body cons because they hug my roundness perfectly plus I feel comfy wearing them. I even bought a bright-colored bag!</div>
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Imagine how broke I become after every indulgence! And imagine how broken my heart will be if I regress to my "normal" state! [haha].</div>
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In the middle of writing this, I thought of how I really want to dress up. I figured that there is nothing wrong being in my everyday laid back clothes. But there's definitely something wrong with how I wear them. What I have in mind is something casual, wearable, BUT fashionable. Unlike other girls who exude elegance and beauty in their casuals, mine is too casual. It easily fades in the crowd. Not standout. Lackluster. And it leaves me frustrated.</div>
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Sometimes, I want to be like my favorite fashion bloggers, <u><a href="http://www.breakmystyle.com/">Laureen Uy</a></u>,<u> <a href="http://www.kryzuy.com/">Kryz Uy</a></u><a href="http://www.kryzuy.com/">,</a> <a href="http://struttingonsunshine.tumblr.com/">Cristina Decena</a>, and <u><a href="http://itscamilleco.com/">Camille Co</a></u>, who can pull off whatever they decide on wearing. Although most of their posts are too edgy for a normal street wear, I think that their styles come in handy depending on the occasion. </div>
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The root of this fashion dilemma is my lack in confidence. Whether you style yourself edgy or casual, whether you buy designer clothes or from thrift shops, what matters at the end of the day is how you wore your clothes. You can't blame me. I live in a world where I get teased (negative) when I wear something "girly". Plus, my size is big for my height! [tears] While I find it unfair that I get teased while others don't, I have to live with it, get used to it, and eventually ignore it.</div>
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For now, I am happy that once in a while, I go out wearing clothes that have been sitting in my closet for a long time. I am satisfied that I get to spice up my clothes without the unnecessary awkwardness when I feel like accessorizing or mix-matching (but still not to the office [haha]). I am happy that this has been my longest kikay phase so far. I am happy that I convinced myself that this "phase" will have to go on one step at a time until I gain the confidence to show who I really am, style-wise.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoJp33pdeZtLcf7TZtVjIxLPJU84wKemUFXzZ9ReAbWQuhP7CENxRF9LbpvGkhEr1XMadCGpsnvZ0vJsiV1IAB29-GPVa_Ix9XtH5bQ3OZr7WjuCIaVbvs1rgY9UwJvKQH7jYwmuk278/s1600/love%252C+cheenee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoJp33pdeZtLcf7TZtVjIxLPJU84wKemUFXzZ9ReAbWQuhP7CENxRF9LbpvGkhEr1XMadCGpsnvZ0vJsiV1IAB29-GPVa_Ix9XtH5bQ3OZr7WjuCIaVbvs1rgY9UwJvKQH7jYwmuk278/s1600/love%252C+cheenee.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>cheeneeD.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17578358974875402869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-544622594171965950.post-90545033947643456892012-07-29T10:08:00.000+08:002012-07-29T13:40:23.442+08:00Papa John's: The Unlimited Pizza Experience<div style="font-family: inherit;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3FGD91Mbj8XrJ9nmaEVRPCYjvYMFWjal9ktmk6UO8wDtGsvA99tmFzqY0dyZFUXdlAkX_Gx3KwfHXJO09-AoNIoZpWCCW8PKfbjGD94l6XeOBUZdEZW3F0_i-4aduTpGzMSt86NDRSo/s1600/Papa+John's+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3FGD91Mbj8XrJ9nmaEVRPCYjvYMFWjal9ktmk6UO8wDtGsvA99tmFzqY0dyZFUXdlAkX_Gx3KwfHXJO09-AoNIoZpWCCW8PKfbjGD94l6XeOBUZdEZW3F0_i-4aduTpGzMSt86NDRSo/s200/Papa+John's+logo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Since </span><a href="http://www.papajohns.com.ph/" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Papa John’s</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> opened it’s first store in Manila, my sister, Les, kept bugging me about bringing home to Leyte a box or two of its pizza. When she is in Manila, though, we never get the chance to visit the place. Even I, who is often near a Papa John's branch, have never gone there until its Unlimited Pizza (P199) promo every Tuesday.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Looking through the glass windows on the side of Tomas Morato, I could tell that Papa John’s was full. I quite expected that. Fortunately, my friend, <a href="http://writeorgocrazy.blogspot.com/">Dana</a> (sorry i "tagged" you), and I were just in time to take a vacant table near the brick wall on the left. From where I sat, I stared at “Papa” John Schnatter, the founder, whose photo hung on the wall opposite the main door. Except for the brick wall stamped with “Papa John’s,” it was nothing fancy compared to other pizza parlors that boast with artsy decors and walls. Or maybe I did not pay much attention to the interiors because I was busy visualizing my game plan.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKayY4xTCQLyoWgXbRIamc_pY9E8bocNn0DN1uzRdDS3duQxy6tj0WgNkZxdj3LhHxpRxelyY6ZA7rfDszmzMbrwNLUdvXAqQ42qGlDQ4yngjDViMLYYD2hElpIgQdpFgvh3J9lqpu5bk/s1600/Dana+and+me_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="376px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKayY4xTCQLyoWgXbRIamc_pY9E8bocNn0DN1uzRdDS3duQxy6tj0WgNkZxdj3LhHxpRxelyY6ZA7rfDszmzMbrwNLUdvXAqQ42qGlDQ4yngjDViMLYYD2hElpIgQdpFgvh3J9lqpu5bk/s640/Dana+and+me_.jpg" width="640px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend, Dana, and me</td></tr>
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At exactly six, the energy went a few notches higher as the waitresses peddled the pizzas from table to table. First served on my plate were two slices of Garden Special, my favorite. The olives, bell peppers, onions, and cheese were satisfying. The absence of meat did not bother me at all. Trivia: I started liking veggies because of pizzas! [ ;) ]</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJbZX8vabE7E6GxfSVRb34ZRGzsJVt9DPjWsNWtWI4VvaQBWpmSl9CtB9zX8onohcM9ZS4Q3hLTAUVpsnA7AoW4EW-dhjivk1Vyh7iEDGOVn7H2GR2pcLwuhyphenhypheni6z4Ci8WIlw7MlzAORo/s1600/Garden+Special_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJbZX8vabE7E6GxfSVRb34ZRGzsJVt9DPjWsNWtWI4VvaQBWpmSl9CtB9zX8onohcM9ZS4Q3hLTAUVpsnA7AoW4EW-dhjivk1Vyh7iEDGOVn7H2GR2pcLwuhyphenhypheni6z4Ci8WIlw7MlzAORo/s640/Garden+Special_.jpg" width="514px" /></a></td></tr>
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Next served was a slice of All the Meats. I was wondering where “all the meats” have gone because my slice only had three visible chunks of meat. I deconstructed the pizza and saw all the meat I was looking for hidden under the thick layer of melted cheese. I felt like a treasure hunter digging for more bacon. Every bit of bacon is a treasure, people! [haha]</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ARQdxkBhJzipI63hzuRijjUgKljfiYThpkAf0XVWtIlW6sWHj9SFz9vTprvgnDmbqaSWrgPlD3i7cmi06k8gYXm5QXpnYX2HdOqk8Sn8RQ_4oe6wvebqt2qMiS7qrzz4jYgY0xZP2xw/s1600/All+the+Meats_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ARQdxkBhJzipI63hzuRijjUgKljfiYThpkAf0XVWtIlW6sWHj9SFz9vTprvgnDmbqaSWrgPlD3i7cmi06k8gYXm5QXpnYX2HdOqk8Sn8RQ_4oe6wvebqt2qMiS7qrzz4jYgY0xZP2xw/s640/All+the+Meats_.jpg" width="640px" /></a></td></tr>
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The Hawaiian Pizza was served next. Do not judge the picture below. It looks like a cheese pizza instead of Hawaiian. Under the cheese, there were chunks of pineapples and slices of ham! It was good but just like any other of its kind, it was too tangy for me.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJ_dx8Gbhe5I6apKYcz8lF0IIRo52uuiAY9xf-RyfzpStt6p54FEI4yI7xIj3kpYM7e8BKg3i38t_UBHzfZTX99IYciC8KUUosH8bwdXXocF_jTg9vpb45ebYqoNQu-wMpz0YVon8gsE/s1600/hawaiian_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="386px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJ_dx8Gbhe5I6apKYcz8lF0IIRo52uuiAY9xf-RyfzpStt6p54FEI4yI7xIj3kpYM7e8BKg3i38t_UBHzfZTX99IYciC8KUUosH8bwdXXocF_jTg9vpb45ebYqoNQu-wMpz0YVon8gsE/s640/hawaiian_.jpg" width="640px" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">My fourth slice was another All the Meats, though I really felt like it was Bacon Cheeseburger. It looked the same with my third slice (except that the previous one had less meat) but this had a subtle sourness. I do not know, really, but I have no choice but to believe the waitress who said it was an all-meat pizza.</span></div>
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By the time I finished my fourth slice, I was already full but I was not going to miss one of the four flavors they served— the Pepperoni Pizza. I thought I was headed for the grand finale but to my dismay, it was too salty and the pepperoni became dry after the pizza cooled. I had to ask for another slice of All the Meats to replace the salty flavor in my mouth.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCB-SZbQhakeFUDTH-koDw8oAf4mnusNvY3TmnlBkvfpZW6ye4Wvx7IvzCdGOZnSByf9aCyvToqvFQxFaeCwA3VnBcTCxahlx6eqd2MYojJNrHcM3jiGWEW0B5vOr0CGBoXfnVS0W-efs/s1600/Pepperoni_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="496px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCB-SZbQhakeFUDTH-koDw8oAf4mnusNvY3TmnlBkvfpZW6ye4Wvx7IvzCdGOZnSByf9aCyvToqvFQxFaeCwA3VnBcTCxahlx6eqd2MYojJNrHcM3jiGWEW0B5vOr0CGBoXfnVS0W-efs/s640/Pepperoni_.jpg" width="640px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pepperoni</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">I ate seven slices of thick crust pizza in all! Though thick crust pizzas are not my thing because their chewiness hurt my jaws, Papa John’s pizza proved to be different. The dough, though thick, is soft. Plus, it comes with a garlic dip that is so helpful especially with the edge, where there are no toppings to speak of and the crust becomes extra tough.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1baclPGKJL-sCYQaXhczSM21JlvqDE0DqggZZ8cRALBz1uBQ5OOMO92SMfahRsrVwOgSR6IJ3g0gi5JxDmJMVeHz6iIJ2rZpn-dPX-0972mBrfZzk1OPjuKjdKHnsk8CXhOg8yrz_uHE/s1600/Cheese+and+garlic+dip_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="438px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1baclPGKJL-sCYQaXhczSM21JlvqDE0DqggZZ8cRALBz1uBQ5OOMO92SMfahRsrVwOgSR6IJ3g0gi5JxDmJMVeHz6iIJ2rZpn-dPX-0972mBrfZzk1OPjuKjdKHnsk8CXhOg8yrz_uHE/s640/Cheese+and+garlic+dip_.jpg" width="640px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garlic dip</td></tr>
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Papa John’s unlimited pizza promo was only served four kinds of pizza and there are a lot more to try! But that was definitely a good way to sample four flavors in one sitting and definitely a good way to meet John and his famous pizzas. 'Til we meet again, Papa. </div>
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</div>cheeneeD.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17578358974875402869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-544622594171965950.post-76962030998204348372012-07-28T12:19:00.002+08:002012-07-29T10:11:37.441+08:00Welcome to Nicknamed CheeneeHi there!<br />
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I am athenaD., nicknamed Cheenee. I am a lover of food, a late bloomer in the fashion department, a globe-trotter in my dreams. You might be wondering what “F” in “all the F’s in the world” stands for. Nothing green or foul. “F” is for everything fun and anything I fancy. Or frustrations, maybe. This hodgepodge is a product of my cluttered mind, a dump site of anything that will remind me that life is awesome, and this is also nicknamed cheenee. Welcome to my little space! Enjoy! (:<br />
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<br />cheeneeD.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17578358974875402869noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-544622594171965950.post-49502708953601215962012-06-18T20:44:00.000+08:002012-07-28T16:50:19.117+08:00Table For Two, Please*<a href="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/table-for-two.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/table-for-two.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class=" wp-image-394 " height="248" src="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/table-for-two.jpg" title="table for two" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>*This post was originally written for The Athena, Cheenee's previous blog.</i></b></span></span><br />
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Back in college, couples often received a glare from me not because I did not have a boyfriend, but because I was envious that they were with each other doing three of my favorites– eating, shopping, and strolling.<br />
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If I did not have my dorm mates, college barkada (TSUBA), or the R’s (Tito and Tita R, and Raiza) along with me, my cellphone served as my trusty companion and I bet you know why. It was crazy texting “Ui, I saw nice shoes….” and went on describing down to the tiniest detail but end up frustrated because he had no idea what wedges (or whatever it was I tried to describe) were.<br />
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Sometimes, we subscribed to the “Unli Call” services of Globe and, at some point, Sun Cellular, and talked on the phone over good food at a good restaurant. I would even include him in some decision-making say, for example, whether to buy something at the supermarket or not.<br />
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Thinking about those four long years of long distance relationship now makes us wonder how we managed to survive. Our stories sure sound happy but there are hints of sadness and subtle pain, which only we could recognize. Those long years were more like being rescued from a burning house right before one of us died rather than coming out of it unscathed.<br />
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Tyrone has been in the city since March. But the catch is he is not here to have food trips and road trips anytime we want. But that is fine for now while he works on something more important than food trips and road trips with me. At least now, we dine out, catch up, and have fun once a week. (We agreed on this before he came to Manila.)<br />
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Actually, my crazy and anti-social work schedule turned out to be favorable because we have the same free days. While he is here, I do not have to worry about who is going to go out with me on a work day. It also feels good to have an arm to grab when those gutsy DOMs and expats come up to me and say hi. Most of all, I now have him to talk and laugh with while we dine at a table for two.<br />
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-athenaD.cheeneeD.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17578358974875402869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-544622594171965950.post-88980753231866344362012-03-28T22:56:00.000+08:002012-07-28T11:14:18.399+08:00Magnum Mania*<b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">*This post was originally written for The Athena, Cheenee's previous blog.</span></i></b><br />
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Magnum's been all over the internet (and trashcans) since it became available in MiniStop, 7-11 chains, and supermarkets. Everyday I'd see a number of posts on and a number of poses with Magnum in my facebook feeds and I bet everyone who reads this can relate. <br />
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I am not someone who'd buy a hyped ice cream before reading A LOT of reviews and A LOT of stories from friends on how it tasted like so it took me three more days <strong>(from the day it was released)</strong> before deciding to buy the Magnum Classic (P55). It looked sophisticated from the wrapper up to the smooth chocolate coating. The chocolate coating was good, especially with its little hint of bitterness that went well with the creamy vanilla. I thought it was not really worth the hype...<br />
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<a href="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/magnum-classic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image" class="size-full wp-image " height="442" src="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/magnum-classic.jpg?w=590" width="590" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">...until I tasted the Chocolate Truffle (P60) the next day! Imagine stuffing myself with chocolate ice cream right after my graveyard shift and right before I went to bed! [haha] Goodness I almost forgot to take a picture after first bite! I really couldn't appropriately describe it in words but here's a try. The ice cream was made with lots of authentic chocolate and the chocolate coating was perfect for it. The Magnum Chocolate Truffle is a real treat because it's chocolate on chocolate without the unnecessary extra sweetness.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">The Chocolate Truffle made me really excited to try the Magnum Almond because many of my friends said it was the best among the three flavors available in the Philippines. So when I woke up around noon (the same day I ate the Chocolate Truffle), I decided to pass by 7/11 before going home to Taguig. To my dismay, the Almond flavor didn't meet my expectations. It instantly became my least favorite among the three flavors. Maybe the bitterness of the chocolate coating was less on this one compared to the other two flavors. Some say it tastes like Pinipig Crunch. I like Pinipig Crunch but I don't think they taste almost alike because this one has really big almonds on the chocolate coat and not just tidbits to give a crunch.</span><br />
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Final say? I don't really think taste is an issue. It tastes good. I even like the cheap dirty ice cream sold by Mang Tomas in UST how much more this one! [haha] But I think the price is quite high for an ice cream on a stick. I really like it but it's not something I'd think of buying when I feel like eating ice cream because of the price. I'd rather have Cornetto or McDo's sundaes when I want a sweet and cold treat. Unless I'd be sleep deprived because of a Magnum craving or unless someone treats me, I won't give in. -athenaD.cheeneeD.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17578358974875402869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-544622594171965950.post-89158671776454111332012-03-08T00:18:00.000+08:002012-07-29T09:15:26.000+08:00Was at Wingman again*<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>*This post was originally written for The Athena, Cheenee's previous blog.</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">I went back to Wingman at The Collective last February 29 not really because I was craving for it but because I had to use the Ensogo voucher I bought last September since it expires on March 2. This was a solo food trip. That's what you have to get used to when your off is on a weekday and practically all your friends have work.</span><br />
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The Collective is quite hard to find when you're unfamiliar with the streets of Makati. When we went there last October, we had a car and Tito Rey knew the roads of Makati. This time, however, I had to commute alone from Taguig to Makati. It took me three jeepney rides. One from C5 to Market! Market!. Another from Market! Market! to EDSA-Ayala and another one from EDSA-Ayala to Buendia. I was impoverish last week hailing a cab didn't even cross my mind. I even walked from my drop-off point along Buendia, the corner near Centro Escolar University-Makati, to The Collective despite the heat.<br />
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<a href="http://nicknamedcheenee.blogspot.com/2012/03/the-collective-wingman-part-1.html">Just like before, </a>only a couple of people were at Wingman for their afternoon merienda. I've read, though, that that is not the case during evenings when yuppies flock to the small joint along Malugay. I let the waitress choose whether I'd order half a dozen (P200) of Garlic Parmesan flavored wings or Honey Garlic. She chose Honey Garlic and I was good with it. I also ordered the very sinful Deep-fried Snickers Bar (P220) for dessert out of curiosity and bottomless iced tea (P80). I also had Corn Puppies (P180) to go for Raiza.<br />
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While waiting, I noticed that it was a little brighter inside compared to the last time I've been there. In my<a href="http://theathena.wordpress.com/2012/03/07/the-collective-wingman-part-1/" title="The Collective: Wingman (Part 1) "> previous post on Wingman</a>, I noted that the only thing I disliked about its interior are the lights. Their laminated menus were also gone and was replaced by better ones. Anyway, moving on to the main event...<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">My half-dozen honey garlic wings looked promising. Unlike their buffalo wings, this did not disappoint on my first bite. It also came with carrot sticks and a dip. Food blogs that I often read said that despite being smothered with sauce, the skin remains crispy. I have to agree. And the meat was soft, moist and tasty.</span><br />
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After I downed four wings and a few carrot sticks, the "umay" factor kicked in. Not because I did not like the sauce, but because there was too much sauce! Too much generosity is not good. My last two wings were soggy and they overpowered the taste of the chicken. I felt like drinking the sauce straight from the saucer. I needed to transfer the remaining wing to the other side of the basket because the wings' side looked flooded. Too bad that had to happen. Other people may like their wings soaked with sauce but I like it with just enough to give flavor.<br />
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The Deep-fried Snickers Bar was served while I was half done with my wings. The anatomy of this sinful dessert consists of snickers thickly coated with waffle or pancake batter topped with whipped cream and drizzled with chocolate syrup. It also had a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.<br />
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<a href="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/img_0471-copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-312 " height="284" src="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/img_0471-copy.jpg" style="border: 5px solid black;" title="Deep-fried Sinckers Bar " width="500" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">This was heaven on first bite- the sweetness and of the chocolate and the crunch of the nuts equalized by the soft pancake batter. To add to the opposing tastes and textures was the heat of the deep-fried Snickers and the coolness of the vanilla ice cream. But after three spoons, my tonsils tapped out. This has always been a dilemma since I have a sweet tooth but intolerant tonsils. I didn't want another case of bad tonsillitis. But I somehow managed to finish half of the serving while I waited for my take out for Raiza.</span><br />
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<a href="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/img_0476-copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-313 " height="375" src="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/img_0476-copy.jpg" style="border: 5px solid black;" title="Corn Puppies" width="500" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">Meet the Corn Puppies. They are actually smaller versions of corn dogs so it's called Corn Puppies, [funny.haha] Raiza liked it because the hotdog was no puppy. It was huge! And the batter wasn't so thick.</span><br />
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<a href="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/img_0473-copy.jpg" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-314" height="375" src="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/img_0473-copy.jpg" title="The Aftermath" width="500" /></a></div>
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Overall, this visit to Wingman was way better than my first. If I were with a friend, it would have been better. I'd be back of course, to try their other flavors. I'd probably order the dry flavors like the Garlic Parmesan or Lemon Pepper and have their much praised burgers.<br />
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forever a chicken lover,<br />
athenaD.<br />
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Wingman is located at The Collective, 7274 Malugay St., San Antonio Vill., Makati City, Metro Manila<br />
Call them @478-6770<br />
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<a href="http://www.munchpunch.com/7437/wingman-the-collective/menu" title="Wingman Menu">Menu: Wingman</a>cheeneeD.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17578358974875402869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-544622594171965950.post-35239733532435263672012-03-07T22:34:00.000+08:002012-07-29T09:13:12.737+08:00The Collective: Wingman (Part 1)*<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>*This post was originally written for The Athena, Cheenee's previous blog.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">After one of my closest college friends, </span><a href="http://tarateh.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white;" title="Danielle">Danielle</a><span style="background-color: white;">, told me stories about good online deals she had, I scoured the group buying sites for my first ever discount voucher. Since it was my first time to actually transact online (that's aside from booking plane tickets online), my side of OC-ness showed. I opted to try something chicken and voila... I saw Wingman on <a href="http://www.ensogo.com.ph/">Ensogo</a>.</span></div>
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I haven't heard of Wingman at The Collective that time (September 2011). I have probably read a post by <a href="http://ourawesomeplanet.com/" title="Anton">Anton</a> on The Collective but it didn't say much about the restaurant. So, I spent the whole day reading blog entries about it before deciding to buy two P500-worth of vouchers at P300 (or P250) each. The purchase was timely since my sister was scheduled to be in Manila mid-October last year and we both love eating! Now, that's surprising! [;p]</div>
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The Collective is a warehouse-turned-creative-hub for young entrepreneurs located along Malugay Street in Makati. It somewhat gives the same laid back aura of Cubao-X though we really never went inside the other shops except Wingman.</div>
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Now, Wingman. It's a chicken place, or should I say wing place with burgers, quesadillas, fries, and beers. It's neither sophisticated nor fancy, but cozy enough to devour chicken wings with your bare hands without hesitations.</div>
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<a href="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/img_9414-copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="wp-image-298 " height="433" src="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/img_9414-copy.jpg?w=300" style="border: 5px solid black;" title="Inside Wingman" width="640" /></a></div>
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I got attracted to Wingman's wall and this drawing on the menu board that I couldn't help but take pictures and post 'em here. [:)] The only thing I disliked were the lights. It was too red and too dark for afternoon snacks.</div>
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<a href="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/img_9420-copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-299 " height="640" src="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/img_9420-copy.jpg?w=280" style="border: 5px solid black;" title="Wingman's wall" width="595" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/img_9419-copy.jpg" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="wp-image-300 " height="480" src="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/img_9419-copy.jpg?w=300" style="border: 5px solid black;" title="Drawing" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">We ordered a dozen of wings (P330), half of it were classic buffalo wings while the other half were honey mustard wings. [They also have half dozens at (P200). ] It came with carrot sticks and a dip. I was so excited when the wings were served...</span></div>
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<a href="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/img_9427-copy1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-304 " height="480" src="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/img_9427-copy1.jpg" style="border: 5px solid black;" title="Classic Buffalo and Honey Mustard" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">...until I tasted the classic buffalo. Either I expected too much or there was just a sour taste (and smell) that came with it. Everyone liked the sweeter and milder honey mustard flavor so I was obliged to eat more of the buffalo. I sort of appreciated the taste later on and Tito Rey and I agreed that it was a beer match. </span></div>
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Their curly twist fries (P120) played the redeemer. It tastes better than McDonald's twister fries! Raiza, my eight-year-old cousin, munched on this because she didn't like the chicken.</div>
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<a href="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/img_9432-copy.jpg" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-305 " height="480" src="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/img_9432-copy.jpg" style="border: 5px solid black;" title="Curly Twist Fries" width="640" /></a></div>
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We managed to leave nothing on the baskets, except for some sticks of carrots, despite the rough start.</div>
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<a href="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/img_9433-copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-306 " height="480" src="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/img_9433-copy.jpg" style="border: 5px solid black;" title="The Aftermath :)" width="640" /></a></div>
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<em><strong>P.S... This was mid-October last year. </strong></em><em><strong>I went back to Wingman last week... <a href="http://nicknamedcheenee.blogspot.com/2012/03/was-at-wingman-again.html">next post</a></strong></em></div>
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chicken's lover,</div>
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athenaD.</div>
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Wingman is located at The Collective, 7274 Malugay St., San Antonio Vill., Makati City, Metro Manila</div>
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Call them @478-6770</div>cheeneeD.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17578358974875402869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-544622594171965950.post-78152084335293500192011-10-25T02:30:00.000+08:002012-07-29T10:14:05.120+08:00Pepper Lunch for Dinner*<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>*This post was originally written for The Athena, Cheenee's previous blog.</i></b></span></div>
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<a href="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/pepperlunch.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-232" src="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/img_9379.jpg?w=300" style="border: 5px solid black;" title="pepper lunch" /></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Eating is an experience that must be enticing from the visual standpoint and satiating up to the aftertaste. Creativity and uniqueness in the food industry's marketing and gimmicks have already leveled with the creativity and goodness of the food itself. The "fast steak" restaurant, <a href="http://pepperlunch.com.ph/">Pepper Lunch (PL)</a>, is among the restaurants that have successfully married creativity with good food. It gives you not plain gimmick but a gastronomic experience worth repeating.</span></div>
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In the Philippines, we have Cecile Zamora (of <a href="http://chuvaness.com/" title="chuvaness.com">CHUVANESS.com</a>) and husband Chef Jeroen to thank for bringing PL to the Philippines last 2008. I never knew it has been years since the DIY steak house introduced their patented electromagnetic plate that heats up to 260 degrees Celsius within one minute. Cool, right?</div>
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I finally got the excuse to try Pepper Lunch when Deal Grocer had P500 worth of voucher for only P300 and redeemable exclusively at SM Mall of Asia. PL's a bit pricey for an (below) average earner like me. I purchased two vouchers, thinking this would be timely since my sister, Les, was set to fly to Manila mid-October. She was supposed to pay the other P300 but I don't know what happened to that. HAHA! </div>
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When Les arrived on the 13th, she, my cousin Lyle, and I went all the way to SM Mall of Asia to redeem the voucher and finally meet the filling meal.</div>
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<strong style="background-color: white;">Attacked!</strong></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white;">(Double) Beef Pepper Rice</strong></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white;">P215 + P40 (add meat)</strong></div>
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<a href="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/beefpepperrice.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-230 " height="480" src="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/img_9370.jpg" style="border: 8px solid black;" title="Double Beef Pepper Rice" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">When dining at a restaurant for the first time, my SOP is to have the bestseller. So, we ordered Pepper Lunch's Beef Pepper Rice not only because blogs say it is the bestseller but also because it is the safest ensemble to order for a picky eater like Lyle. She wasn't open to the idea of eating something peppery but she managed to consume the big serving of Double Beef Pepper Rice (+ P40 for more meat thus the double in Double Beef Pepper Rice) with a little help from me.</span></div>
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<a href="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/lyle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-228 " height="640" src="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/img_9371.jpg" style="border: 8px solid black;" title="lyle@pepper lunch" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Among the three dishes we ordered, PL's Beef Pepper Rice ranked third. But don't get me wrong. The Beef Pepper Rice was good. Believe me it was good enough but I would have appreciated it more if my taste buds were not freshly treated by what I ordered. This one's a good and safe try if dining at PL for the first time.</span></div>
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<a href="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/pepperlunchwaiter.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-227" height="640" src="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/img_9366.jpg" style="border: 8px solid black;" title="IMG_9366" width="480" /></a></div>
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You could always ask the waiters if you need help with the cooking.</div>
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<strong>Double Hamburger Steak with Egg</strong></div>
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<strong>P335 + P40 (steamed rice)</strong></div>
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<a href="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/doublehamburgersteak.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-222 " height="480" src="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/img_9361.jpg" style="border: 8px solid black;" title="IMG_9361" width="640" /></a></div>
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Les had a Double Hamburger Steak. She thought of this way before her flight to Manila all because Anton of <a href="http://ourawesomeplanet.com/">Our Awesome Planet </a>said<a href="http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/2008/05/pepper-lunch.html"> "</a><a href="http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/2008/05/pepper-lunch.html"><strong>6. The killer food in Pepper Lunch is their Hamburger Steak!</strong> We all agree that we love the Pepper Lunch Hamburger Steak paired with the sweet onion sauce!"</a> HAHA! FACT: Anton is our ultimate opinion leader of everything yummy.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Since we all wanted to try a bit of everything we ordered, I also got to sample my sister's Double Hamburger Steak. Les gave me a piece and boy the flavor bursted in one bite! Unlike Anton, though, who enjoyed it more with the sweet onion sauce, I liked it plain. Compared to the hamburger steaks of other fast foods, PL's was thick, juicy, and was undoubtedly made of beef. I ranked this second among the food we ordered.</span></div>
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<a href="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/les.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-223 " height="640" src="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/img_9362.jpg?w=225" style="border: 8px solid black;" title="IMG_9362" width="480" /></a></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white;">(Double) Curry Beef Pepper Rice</strong></div>
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<a href="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/currybeefpepperrice.jpg" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-224 " height="480" src="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/img_9363.jpg" style="border: 8px solid black;" title="IMG_9363" width="640" /></a></div>
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Curries are never shy with flavors. These flavors do not over power each other but perfectly blend to bring out an overwhelming appeal to the taste buds and nose. There are pretentious curry dishes that are just green, but very bland while there are those that pass my taste, though I really don't know how a real curry dish tastes like. The usual ok curry for me changed right after my first spoon of PL's Double Curry Beef Pepper Rice!</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">My Double Curry Beef Pepper Rice turned out to be the most coveted among the three dishes. Les and Lyle liked it better than their orders! Who would not want it? Kanin pa lang, ulam na! And the beef was soft and tasty. </span></div>
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<a href="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/doublecurrybeefpepperrice.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-229 " height="468" src="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/img_9369.jpg" style="border: 8px solid black;" title="IMG_9369" width="640" /></a></div>
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I liked how my plate housed a harmony of spices that sent me to seventh heaven. Ugh! I could almost taste it just remembering how it felt like chewing every goodness of it! It was really satiating 'til the very last grain. And, the smell of the Curry Beef Rice stayed on my hands until the next morning even after I washed my hands many times. There. My #1 so far. As much as I want to try more of PL's food, I guess it would be heartbreaking not to order the Curry Beef Pepper Rice next time I go there.</div>
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<a href="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/theathena.jpg" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-225 " height="640" src="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/img_9364.jpg?w=289" style="border: 8px solid black;" title="IMG_9364" width="616" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/img_9365.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-226" height="444" src="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/img_9365.jpg" style="border: 8px solid black;" title="IMG_9365" width="640" /></a></div>
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"The more you mix them up, the more flavor you get." There's something at the middle of the rice<span style="background-color: white;"> that makes the Pepper Rice very yummy. Don't cook the meat separately. </span><span style="background-color: white;">Mix 'em up with the rice so it could absorb the flavor.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Another factor that makes Pepper Lunch inviting is its relaxing ambiance. It is so Japanice, very simple and comfy. There were pillows on the couch and the walls were artsy too.</span></div>
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<a href="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/pepperlunchmoa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-221" height="480" src="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/img_9360.jpg" style="border: 8px solid black;" title="IMG_9360" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/pepperlunchmoa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-231" height="405" src="http://theathena.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/img_9374.jpg" style="border: 8px solid black;" title="IMG_9374" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">It's almost half a month since my first PL visit and my tongue could still taste and my nose could still smell their food. This is the gastronomic experience I was talking about earlier! Afterall, eating is not just about masticating, but also appreciating and enjoying every bite of a food. </span></div>
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looking forward to more PL time,</div>
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athenaD.</div>
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<a href="http://pepperlunch.com.ph/">Pepper Lunch</a></div>
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Twitter: @PepperPhil</div>
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MENU:</div>
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</div>cheeneeD.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17578358974875402869noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-544622594171965950.post-50770719045542992572011-10-12T01:10:00.000+08:002012-07-28T11:11:33.205+08:00Barquillos en Sorbetes? Muy delicioso!<div>
I do not know when exactly this happened during my childhood (or if it happened a lot of times) but this one memory, the one that flashes in my mind when I hear the word barquillos, never fails to remind me how these thin rolled wafers perfectly compliment the sweetness of ice cream. In that flashback, I remember buying an ube flavored ice cream from a drugstore slash grocery at the market after persuading someone to buy a big tub for us. Then I remember filling my barquillos with the ube ice cream.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">That (the ice cream inside the barquillos) is the exact genius that Koolstix Original made- Barquillos en Sorbetes! My cousin, Lyle, and I found this stall while roaming the tiangge area of Greenhills. Although I think it would be more proper to call it Sorbetes en Barquillos, I really don't care because every stick marries the sweet and the matabang, and the cold and not. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Soft ice-cream fills the inside of the barquillos. The sorbetes is available in two flavors- vanilla and chocolate- while the barquillos comes in classic, the usual light brown, and the dark chocolate barquillos. The classic costs P20 while the dark choco costs P25. The sorbetes is also topped with the colorful sprinkles that make a stick of barquillos en sorbetes more interesting.</span></div>
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Barquillos en Sorbetes have branches in:<br />
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Greenhills Shopping Center: Food Delicacies, Exhibit Area<br />
2nd floor, UST Multi-deck Parking<br />
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Like them on facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/koolstix">http://www.facebook.com/koolstix</a>cheeneeD.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17578358974875402869noreply@blogger.com1