why h8?

In which I become a law abiding responsible citizen by breaking the law

2012-01-16T22:34:00.002+08:00

A few months back, I made a vow, never to talk my way out or name drop when apprehended for a traffic violation that I am guilty of. In a eureka moment, I decided not to help propagate corruption. How can I raise a child properly if I don't know how to be responsible for my actions? If one does not see anything wrong and can justify name dropping, bribing in trying to get away with a simple traffic violation then one has to really seriously rethink values.

I was caught for violating the color coding scheme. Actually, I did leave early, however, there was an accident so I got waylaid for 20 minutes. As per my my traffic ticket, I was apprehended at 7:20, but my watch said 7:05. Regardless, I was still violating the coding scheme. It says that I can redeem after 24 hours and within 5 days. Failure to do so will get me into more trouble.

The last time I redeemed my licensce I noted that it was quite a breeze and hoped then and there that I had documented it. Here is my second chance.

9:00AM License redemption is in the old Makati High School in Malugay St right across The Collective, on the same Street and a few blocks before Central. Parking along the street doesn't look so bad.

9:02AM - First in, last out? Ticket is dropped in Window 2. I think this is inefficient because you literally drop your license in a wide basket. If ten people start dropping their tickets, there is a big chance that the order will get mixed up.

9:03AM - The in-house convenience store.

9:05AM - Some Extra Joss promo going on. I don't take this type of upper but the guy told me that it was free and could do with it as I wanted. So wanting to help him finish his stock earlier and go home early, I got some.

9:06AM - Name is called in between Window 3 and 4, didn't know how to position myself but was entertained in Window 4 where I was ordered to pay. Change for inexact payment will follow a few moments later. Was scolded a bit and told to hurry up. Problem is not that I was taking long, it was because I could not hear her weak voice since she was screaming in between windows ( and I remember a sound system before) and because people were crowding around the windows, while I waited in the proper waiting area.

9:17AM - My name is called and I'm given back my license and a receipt, again the screaming was in between windows and again it was not clear which window they were going to stick their hands out of but ended up in Window 3. I wonder what all the other windows are for.

9:18AM - I saw how employees were giving me looks. I think it was about taking photos. Was sort of chased by a group of 3 traffic enforcers on my way out. They were polite enough, though there was a mini commotion as they escorted me to meet their boss.

9:19AM - Was informed by OIC that I should ask for permission in taking photos. Told them that I assumed it would be ok because it was a government office and that I was outside anyway. We had a 2 minute civilized discussion and it was kewl. What do they have to hide? Or was it a power trip? Methinks it was the latter. Honestly, I'm quite certain they would not have allowed me if I asked :)

The whole ordeal did not take more than 20 minutes and cost me 300 pesos. It was a bit of a hassle, but its the law.

In which I bring my iPhone for within warranty service

2011-02-28T19:50:00.000+08:00

Against my better judgment, I let my guard down and let my iPhone become part of my life. And after 3 months of ebook reading bliss (I finish at least 1 novel a week) and tower defense hair pulling among others, I was devastated when I realized that my iPhone's ear piece was not working. After trying all the known internet fixes I was really upset. The only consolation I had was that I had a warranty - I had smartly purchased a phone from Globe, any other phone from any other source could only have its warranty fulfilled by its country of origin.

Like any other smart tech savvy foresight gifted individual, I decided to do background research on Applei.ph and Philmug before I headed off to Globe. What I saw online was not so encouraging. Knowing very well how inconsistent Globe service can be, I decided to go to the Globe flagship store assuming that it would get better service.

When I got to the store I had a smug look and assuming that I would be in and out quick. But boy was I in for a surprise. The Globe flagship store, the symbol of Globe's undying dedication to customer service kept me for one hour, and it was during lunch break, on a Monday. Any idiot would know that this is the time when there isn't much people. It gives me shivers imagining the place on a weekend. It did not help that my customer number, the slip of paper given out before lining up was totally bypassed. Their numbering system is totally messed up! I approached a number of the customer reps to ask some things and after the 2nd, I realized that they all have the same "I have better things to do than to answer your stupid questions" attitude. The customer people are bordering on snooty with a twist of rudeness. Any Mang Inasal branch would have better customer service.

I also have to mention that the lady kinda almost "tricked" me into signing an Out of Warranty agreement, even if my phone is not out of warranty. She insisted that it was an Apple requirement and I told her that I would not sign it unless she crossed out some parts, and she did just that. Doesn't she know that all that tampering voids a document, so why bother with it? In the corporate world, a document with crossed out parts despite a signature has the same importance as tissue. I don't think it was anything malicious though, more of ignorance and negligence.

I was devastated to find out that it would take Globe two to three weeks to get back to me. One of the main reasons for my getting an iPhone is their famous warranty and I got a Globe issued iPhone to ensure that I would be getting that global standard warranty. However, the Globe fulfilled warranty is an exercise in patience. It reeks of inefficiency. From the long line to the questionably trained people and excessive turnaround time, it is a wonder how Apple can invest so much in their reputation only to have it besmirched by Globe.

Im not writing this for Globe to see. Neither is this some idealistic pipe dream to call out on Globe management to improve service. (I know enough of realities to know that to address this, Globe will need a major overhaul in their manpower and this requires precious time, money and effort that would be better put on advertising.) This is about the value of having a Globe warranty for an iPhone. Prior to this incident, I would tell everyone to buy their phones from Globe despite the premium, however, after this incident, I'm not so sure anymore.

In which imminent death absolves an unforgivable sin

2011-02-24T08:19:00.001+08:00

I am absolutely irritated by all the resources and attention wasted on the 3 guilty as hell Filipino drug traffickers caught in China. Thanks to them we have another red herring circus to take media attention away from important issues. Not to mention the dangerous message it sends out to our countrymen and the consequences on our country's slow development.

Take a look at our Vice President, because of his selfish need to feel good (not to mention grandstand) he used up good will from China to delay justice for 3 guilty drug traffickers. Our good VP says though that China has put the execution on hold asking for nothing, I would still like to give our VP enough credit to assume that he would know from experience that the most costly of favors are those that are freely given. And for who again? For 3 guilty drug mules.

It was reported on news that one of the children of the convicted drug smugglers wanted to become a lawyer so she (or was it a he) could defend her guilty mother. Here we see the twisted values this imparts on innocent minds. A child, driven by personal need, wants to interfere with the wheels of justice to save a person who has destroyed peoples lives by bringing in highly addictive heroin. Here we see how a guilty person who should be condemned has been spun into a victim and possibly even a martyr. We have enough politicians who put their needs above the greater good and common values like this today, do we want more in the future?

Whats also so stupid is the call for prayers. Again, prayers for who? For repeat offenders who have no regard for law, and who don't see anything wrong in destroying lives to earn a living. We have already wasted favors from China, do we still need to waste favors from the Creator? And for who again? The Christian God has a special place for people like this and its called Hell.

We should stop wasting our resources trying to save the lives of guilty people. We should let justice play its part. We should not put the needs of guilty people and their kin above the rest of the country's needs. According to an informal survey of ABS-CBN, around 70% percent of respondents feel that the guilty Filipinos deserve what they are getting, and in a democracy the voice of the people (or majority) is the voice of God.

In which I reveal my soulmate to the world

2011-02-16T10:07:00.007+08:00

I remember the day we met. It was a busy lunch time in Pratunam district in Bangkok, Thailand. I was buying some Kaw Pad from a street vendor when a lady beside me accidentally sneezed on some Thai chili and blew it directly on my face. The pain was instant and intense. There was a commotion, with me moaning in agony and the perpetrator right beside me handing me tissue, did not really matter since I could hardly see anything. My first instinct was to run back to my hotel, which was around a block away, and wash my face in the lobby comfort room sink.

After 10 minutes of washing and agony, I was ready to resume my tour. I would not let a freak accident ruin my vacation. On my way out of the hotel, a beautiful Eurasian with a Japanese accent sadly approached me with a repentant expression of sadness bearing a flower. I still remember her eyes as they spoke words that cannot be expressed by sound. Later I learned her name, Miyabi, known to the male population of the world as Maria Ozawa.

After her unneeded apology, she insisted that we eat lunch together. Having spilled my lunch, I thought what the heck, I had two days to kill before my friends arrived. We had lunch in a nearby restaurant and it was amazing how similar we are. We both love Kaw Pad over Pad Thai, and we both enjoy soy milk. We even took out our cameras at the same time to take photos of the soy milk in bottles. Our conversation was natural, no inhibitions and no hang-ups, just pure curiosity which surprisingly went both ways. I felt an emotional rollercoaster when she told me her line of work, even though I already knew who she was 30 minutes upon entering the restaurant. (who male would not) It was also interesting how much she wanted to know about me as she intently listened to me. The longer I stared at her the more I admired her beauty, inside out. Honestly though, its still a mystery how I felt more drawn to her personality than anything else.

Hours felt like seconds being with her. I don't think I have ever felt so myself in front of anyone. We were in Siam Paragon for more than 6 hours but I hardly remember the aquarium or anything else in there. We had a Kaw Pad dinner and stayed in her hotel lobby until the wee hours of the evening. We grudgingly parted ways but exchanged contact details and vowed to see each other again.

Unfortunately, we did not see each other the next day. She called me to meet her in her hotel lobby but I was on a tour so I was not able to. She informed me sadly that she would be flying back to Japan but wanted to keep in touch.

Almost everyday, me and Miyabi would send each other emails and every week we would try to video chat. We would talk about our views on life, current issues and the latest video games. She was smart enough to know that talking about her work disturbed me, try as I could to hide it. However, she always wanted to know more about my work which she said was probably what she would like to do if she were not in the adult film industry.

Maintaining a friendship with her, I was absolutely thrilled to find out that she was going to Boracay in the Philippines. I will not be a hypocrite and say that I was not planning anything. In fact I prepared all the necessary tools needed to go on a marathon. We would rendezvous in the hotel and spend 5 days with each other. Even months before the date, I was already harboring fantasies of marrying her and settling down.

When I saw her, my whole world went in ala Matrix bullet time. It was absolute bliss. I don't know how long we held each other in a tight embrace, not that time mattered. As planned, I brought her to our room and there made passionate love with her.

When I woke up the next day, first thing I saw was her playing Nintendogs on her pink Nintendo DS. What struck me was her eyes, they seemed uncharacteristically devoid of emotion. All throughout the day we were both quiet. After our late afternoon lunch, she told me that she needed some time alone and wanted to take a walk. It was the last time I saw her in Boracay.

A few weeks later, we started communicating again via email, chat and video. We both had enough foresight to know that we should forget the Boracay incident.

I was ecstatic when I found out that she would be going to Singapore in almost the same time I was going. It was both our first time and we wanted to more than anything go on a Hawker food binge. Plan was simple, I would spend a total of 5 days in Singapore. My first two days would be with her in Raffles, and since she was leaving in 2 days, I would change hotels and spend the last 3 days with my family.

I will always remember Singapore as one of the most beautiful places in the world. I spent the best 2 days of my life going on and off the Hippo tour bus with Miyabi. Even if we both had indigestion from eating barbecued Stingray all day (note: I never thought that the most beautiful woman I know would have the foulest smelling crap) it was wonderful. In the evening we fell asleep in each others arms speaking to each other in whispers and staring at each others eyes and savoring the moment for all it was worth. This time, we knew better than to let sex complicate things.

Miyabi is complicated. Her line of work, for me, does not match her personality. She is one of the most interesting and principled people I know. We could talk for days and it would still not be enough. She does have her weaknesses though, and its men. Everytime she gets close to a man, it always ends up bad. She even joked me once that she does not see me as a man but rather as an androgynous (but cute) elemental sent by the creator to accompany her on the journey called life.

Why not to get an iPhone 4

2010-11-17T15:00:00.001+08:00

Steve Jobs is a marketing genius. Every single time Apple comes up with a new product, or a new slightly improved item consumers go on a frenzy. Perhaps the most coveted in Apple's arsenal is the iPhone 4. I have never been interested with the iPhone, but ever since I got a Mac, I have been spending time in the Apple website. So it was inevitable that I take an interest in the iPhone 4. But instead of justifying a purchase I did research on its flaws.

There are so many bogus sellers. In about every forum, there are scammers who are capitalizing on the hype.
It has to go through the risky process of Jailbreaking, which can void the warranty and is not recommended by Apple. Aside from the risk, if you dont know anyone who can do it, you will have to deal with potentially unscrupulous mobile phone technicians.
Apple in the Philippine will not honor the warranty unless it is bought from Globe. A major factor in purchasing Apple products is their excellent warranty which is paid for by the consumer. If you purchase a non-Globe unit, you still pay for the warranty which won't be honored.
It is the beginning of more expenses. Now that you have the iPhone 4, you need to buy a screen protector, bumpers. a better headset and so much more. And if you decide not to have it Jailbroken, you have to purchase apps.
You have to let go of your beloved iPod and if there are no takers, you will have to sell it online and likely deal with jejemon low ballers who want to meet up in either malls you would never go to or areas you have never heard of.
Its over priced. An iPod touch costs less than half. And the only difference is the mobile phone capabilities.
Apple Peel 520 is out. Basically, Apple Peel 520 is a "bumper" that gives the iPod Touch the capability to call. Of course it doesn't make your iPod Touch an iPhone but still pretty close.
You have to get a new SIM. The usual SIM will have to be cut (not recommnded) or you have to get the proprietary SIM from Globe, that can only be used for the iPhone.
Stupid features. The iPhone boasts of a Retina Display, which claims to have a better resolution than the eye can see. So whats the point?
Faulty antenna. And how did they address their faulty antenna? By pointing at other smartphone makers' antenna flaws, and claiming that all smartphones have antenna problems.

I actually purchased a Globe iPhone 4 last Monday but for some reason, I am not excited about it. So as of this moment the box has yet to be opened.

In which I try the so called best pig in the world

2010-11-11T18:13:00.005+08:00

Today I was lucky enough to be part of a group that experienced Marketman's Bourdain meal in Cebu. The Bourdain meal, a term I just coined, is having fresh cooked Zubuchon in the same place where Anthony Bourdain had it and where he proclaimed it the best pig in the world.

Watching the pig roast while listening to Marketman explain procedures was very interesting. The area was obviously hot but I did not mind.

Where the best pig in the world is cooked

Truffle lechon de leche

Now this was the first time I was hearing of such a thing. Of course we are all familiar with the seemingly magical taste altering properties of truffles, but adding it as an ingredient to lechon is unheard of - until today, and I was minutes away from tasting it.

As seen in the photo, there were other dishes served, lechon sisig, lechon sinigang and of course puso - rice wrapped in leaves. The lechon sisig was amazing, but something I can possibly replicate and the sinigang... well, it was a novelty but below average, hence I did not think it deserved space in my SD card.

Zubuchon original vs Zubuchon truffle lechon de leche

My battle plan was to try the original before the truffle one so I could compare them. In a nutshell, the original was a taste of heaven. All on my table agreed that this is what we would want to eat as our last meal. I ate the stomach part where all the flavor is concentrated. I tasted rosamary, lemon grass and a whole host of other spices I could not identify. I experimented with 2 sauces, the Cebuano suka mix and the Tagalog liver sauce - both did not do the dish justice. I believe that even to the untrained palette, this would still be proclaimed a masterpiece. Now I know exactly what Tony felt upon tasting this. The truffle lechon, on the other hand was equally as good, the only advantage of the truffle lechon was in the novelty. If asked what I would prefer, it would be a tie. They are very different, but equally amazing. It would be like choosing between the mestiza Ellen Adarna and the chinita Heart Evangelista, different but equally hot.

I never thought I would say this with confidence but Zubuchon is the best tasting pig ever. Before tasting this I had my doubts, knowing how impressionable Filipino food critics are but I honestly cannot think of anything that will even come close to it. I blog to find things to hate, but with Zubuchon I could find no fault, aside from the obvious health risks.

In which I give in to the world

2010-11-04T11:41:00.002+08:00

I so hate the world today. For years I have been trying to make everyone happy by making anonymous sacrifices, being polite and considerate. And for what end? For nothing! The world hasn't changed and is not getting better. Knowing this I came up with new vows which will make me more in tune with the world.

I will consider giving to less fortunate street beggars.
Some argue that giving alms does not do anyone good, because it teaches urchins to free load and discourages the value of hard work. But I stopped caring about society today and as long as giving alms makes me feel good then I dont care about what happens to the poor after.

I will name drop, and show people that I am important.
The masses disregard their fellow commoners. There is no shame in flaunting privilege. I am treated like a god in my province and expect to be treated as such in any other place. Take a good look at me and my ID.

I will not be modest about accomplishments and possessions.
I will mention at every opportunity the convenience of having a unit in Serendra, my lucrative business and how well connected my family is.

I will treat people the way they deserve to be treated.
We are all human, but some are more (or less) human than others. If the person I am dealing with is a superficial ass, then I will set aside ethics and treat the person like an ass.

I will start telling people what I honestly think about them when asked.
Needs no explaining. Go ahead and ask me.

I will stop doing good things for people who do good things for me.
I will start telling myself that I deserve more, and it is my right to be treated good. I don't owe anyone anything.

I will start being a catholic.
All other religions are wrong and they will all go to hell. I will do as I please because my ancestors started contributing to the church so my place in heaven has been bought. To be sure I will pray the rosary.

I will be superficial and judge everyone by their looks, station in life and material wealth.
Rich and good looking people are the best, while those that have neither don't deserve a glance.

I will prioritize myself and put down others to save my ass.
Most people do this anyway.

I will gossip and spread bad rumors about people to make myself look good.
Among all, this is the one I am most excited about.

I will put people in their place.
If I get a chance to be in front of a taipan's family, I will remind them that their patriarch used to wipe my grandfathers ass.

I will stop helping people and will not go out of my way to do things for others.
It's a dog eat dog world, if I wont look after myself then who will?

In which we set down our house help rules

2010-10-20T15:31:00.001+08:00

Been experiencing quite a number of issues with our household helpers and it occurred to us that we could not expect our helpers to know automatically what the rules are. It would also be unfair for us to reprimand them for breaking rules that they may not be aware of. Knowing this, we proceeded to do the first draft for the set of rules. Please feel free to comment so we can improve it.

Ang mga patakaran na nakasulat dito ay ginawa upang panatiliin ang ating seguridad. Ang pagtanggap sa inyo dito upang magtrabaho, ay pagtanggap din namin sa inyo sa aming pamilya. Dahil binigyan namin kayo ng aming tiwala na pangalagaan ang aming tahanan, gusto naman namin hingin ang inyong pagtitiwala dahil importante sa amin ang kabutihan natin bilang isang pamilya.

Sa pag day off

1. Dalawang beses lamang sa isang buwan maaring mag day off.

2. Ang isang day off ay 12 oras. Halimbawa, kapag umalis ng 7 ng umaga, kailangang 7 ng gabi bumalik.

3. Ang day off ay pang Sabado o Linggo lamang.

4. Hindi maaring magkasabay sa pag day off.

5. Puwedeng pagsamahin ang 2 day off.

6. Kinakailangang bumalik sa sinabing oras, kapag hindi makababalik sa takdang oras, matatanggal ang karapatan sa pag day off ng isang buwan.

Sa pagdadala ng bisita

1. Bawal ang magdala ng bisita ng walang paalam. Pinapayagan ng batas na barilin ng isang tao ang taong di niya kilala na pumasok sa kanyang pamamahay.

2. Ang kaparusahan sa pag papasok ng ibang tao na walang paalam ay pagkatanggal sa trabaho at pagdala sa presinto.

Sa pagsimba, pag punta sa tindahan at iba pa

1. Ang pagsimba ay isa at kalahating oras lamang.

2. Ang pagpunta sa tindahan at iba pa ay 45 minuto lamang.

3. Puwedeng humaba ang oras ng paglabas, ngunit kailangang magpaalam.

4. Kinakailangang bumalik sa sinabing oras, kapag hindi makababalik sa takdang oras, matatanggal ang karapatan sa pag day off ng isang buwan.

Sa pagpapaaalam

1. Ang pwede lamang magbigay ng permiso ay si (insert tyrants name here) at (insert feudal lords name here).

2. Hindi pwedeng magpaalam sa pamamagitan ng text lamang.

3. Ang pagpapaalam sa day off ay dapat gawin 3 araw o higit pa bago ang day off.

Sa sweldo

1. Sa 15 at 30 ng buwan ibibigay ang sweldo.

2. Ang 13th month na katumbas ng isang buwang suweldo ay ibibigay ng buo sa Disyembre 15.

Sa panunuot

1. Dapat nakasuot ng uniporme sa oras ng trabaho mula 8 ng umaga.

Alam natin na ang pinakamataas na batas ay ang sa Diyos, inaasahan namin na hindi na kailangang ipaalala sa inyo na laging manampalataya at sumunod sa turo ng simbahan.

Why not to get a 2010 MacBook Pro

2010-09-14T15:36:00.002+08:00

Most would agree that basically, Macs are known for reliability, coolness and hefty price among others. But is it really worth all the hype? Personally I believe that the Mac is a so-so product backed up by marketing geniuses. However, the Mac did look interesting enough to merit a few hours of my computer time.

After wasting a few hours, I found out why not to get a 2010 MacBook Pro (MBP)

- The OS of an MBP is very different from Windows XP and Vista and you will have to learn new things. Everything looks different though the concept is the same. Then again, why go through the hassle of learning something new?

- The maximize button on the upper left does not work properly.

- The keyboard is too quiet. It does not make a loud click when you press "Enter"

- Heavy MBP owners know how hot the unit can get. Aluminum is a heat conductor widely used to make pots and pans.

- Since the body is made of aluminum it is prone to denting, unlike most laptop PC's that are made of plastic which is more flexible.

- Its crazy how most MBP owners and Mac users don't bother with installing an anti-virus. Its trouble waiting to happen. Imagine the chaos of every Windows computer turning off its anti-virus. That can put a nation in a state of calamity.

- CD drive speed is only 24. Laptop PCs half the MBP's price has drive speeds double that.

- MacBook technology is way behind PC. For example, PC has been using Intel technology years before Apple. Mac has also yet to offer Blue Ray drives with their units.

- The signature white power adapter is a dirt magnet.

- RAM, hard drive and the battery is not user changeable, you will have to bring it to Apple authorized places or risk voiding the warranty.

- Hefty entry level price point.

- Spare parts are guaranteed to dent your budget.

- Games are rare, and PC version of the games are always way better.

- Very limited choices. PC laptops come in all shapes, colors, sizes and prices.

- Mac fanboys are self righteous fanatic zealots. They bash PCs at every chance and perpetuate potentially disastrous myths, like "Macs dont have viruses"

- Strange delete button, it functions as backspace.

In which an unlikely hobby is discovered

2010-08-31T15:24:00.002+08:00

We all know for a fact how polluted the country is and that nobody is doing anything worthwhile to stop it. WWF? Everything they do is for show. Real environmentalists don’t contribute to pollution by smoking. Also, how pretentious is cleaning up beaches in Batangas that hardly need it while neglecting the easily accessible Manila Bay, which needs all the help it can get. Caring for the environment is a commitment not just some social activity or simple whim with an on and off switch to make you feel good about yourself.

Anyway, aboutthe new hobby. I was browsing the World Wide Web when I came across philippineangler.com. First thing that popped in my mind was, wow, this is a hobby for the big boys, since you will have to go to faraway places in a yacht to do this. Sounded exciting enough so I started lurking.

I could not believe how many fishing spots there are around Metro Manila. From fishponds to lakes even Manila Bay. Yes, Manila Bay, where you can catch Barracuda, Threadfin and Jack among others. Reading more, I decided to try my luck fishing in a relatively nearby fishpond in Barangay Coloong in Valenzuela.

Not your usual pond. This is huge.

It took me and my brother around an hour and a half to get to Kapitan’s Pond in Coloong. Mind you, this is not the usual pond, it is actually 30 hectares of pond. There are even islands in this pond. Armed with stock knowledge, we started fishing.

Our island fishing spot. Where we caught the biggest Pla-pla (large Tilapia) ever cooked in our home.

Stayed there for around 4 hours, landed 1 tilapia while 2 got away. My brother caught the rest and landed the big one. Average weight for our catch was 800g

Having enjoyed my first official fishing trip we discussed learnings and planned the next trip.

I decided to go to Apalit, Pamapanga to fish despite the smaller and less natural setting because of the huge Pangasius. Let me say a little something about the Pangasius aka Cream Dory among its other aliases. This fish is originally from the Mekong River in Vietnam and is more commonly know as Mekong Catfish. The French colonists of Vietnam saw the potential of this specie as a food source so they developed it into what it is now. The fast growth rate and the delicate flavor uncommon to freshwater fish has made this fish a worldwide hit. Europeans eat tons of this and this is now the fish of choice for the British classic Fish and Chips. Even the Japanese who generally do not eat freshwater fish are starting to appreciate it. Amazing how this fish has set the standard for the future of aquaculture.

My brothers catch. This fish gives one hell of a fight. This is of average size.

Some reminders before you decide to go fishing in these places.

General

Any rod and reel will be sufficient for Tilapia.
Make sure you have a landing net (immediately net fish when you can) and a fishing basket which is used to store the fish live.
Some places don’t allow catch and release.
For most places dough bait is perfect. Buy uncooked pan de sal at your local bakery, this for me is the best dough bait. Franchise bakeries as a matter of policy wont sell you uncooked bread.

Bring sunblock and use generously
Bring a small folding chair.
Bring food and water.
Most places don’t have easily accessible stores.
Some places have huts, but these are often located in bad fishing spots.
Eating freshwater fish is not for everyone - some people abhor it.

Coloong

Catch and release (CnR) is not allowed because they say that it stresses the fish. Bring home what you catch even if its teeny.
Fish is for sale, around 80php a kilo.
Use liveworms for bait if catching tilapia, available for 20 to 30php from the kids that hang out in the area.
Aling Nene’s pond has better staff and is cleaner compared to the more famous Kapitan Larry’s.
Kapitan Larry has kid guides who will do the dirty stuff for you like baiting, untangling and carrying gear. A few hours of dedicated loyalty for 50php.
Although freshwater fish is expected to taste like mud, the tilapia here tastes better than any other tilapia I have eaten. Even our snooty Visayan helpers who dont eat freshwater fish look forward to tilapia caught in Coloong.

Apalit

Fish can weight up to 4kg, so make sure you use proper line. Our stock lines that come with the cheapo rods broke quite a number of times.
Fish is for sale, around 100 per kilo.
CnR is allowed, provided that the fish didn’t swallow the hook.
Whole place stinks, the warehouse being the worst. Pond area is tolerable.
This place has the highest concentration of flies I have ever seen.
Bait is available for free onsite.
Warning you will stink after fishing here – the dog food based bait stinks and since you will be handling this a lot, the scent of this combined with the general stink makes a very interesting mix.
For a reason unknown to me, the latest we caught here a 2kg++ pangasius and tilapias tasted like mud.. I was so appalled by the taste that I swore never to eat a fish caught there. Our Visayan helpers feel the same.

In which I cave in to a gadget skin

2010-08-31T15:20:00.002+08:00

After 3 years, I finally decided to purchase a new mobile phone. It was not an easy decision. Changing phones could mean transferring hundreds of contacts one by one if the phones involved have different operating systems – which is very likely. Also, my phone has a one of a kind rubberized body that makes the surface impervious to minor scratches. So I never had the need for protective covers. However, the phone’s technology is a bit dated and is prone to restarting by itself so with a heavy heart, I had to let go.

It took a few days for me to realize that my new phone, because of its white color, is prone to discoloration or yellowing – specially with my sweaty hands which is guaranteed to turbo boost the oxidation process. So naturally, I had to buy some kind of protector that would protect the keyboard as well so a clunky jelly case was definitely out of the question. This left me with only one option, a gadget skin.

Google shows that there are basically two widely available gadget skins specifically Gmask and Zagg Invisible Shield. Both have their own pros and cons and this is what I have gathered online:

Gmask

Pros

Thinner than others so it can adhere to irregular shapes and curves, which also means that it will most likely cover more areas.
Cheaper than Invisible Shield.
3-year warranty against peeling, discoloration or fading.

Cons

Not recommended for touch screens – inherent properties will affect image.
No guarantees on protection.

Zagg Invisible Shield

Pros

“Indestructible”
Perfect for touch screens
No discoloration
Lifetime warranty

Cons

Cannot cover the whole body, only the front and back.
Online reviews always mention difficulty in placing it.

Studying the pros and the cons, I felt that Gmask would be perfect for my qwerty slider, because it would also cover my keyboard and besides, my touch screen still had the stock screen protector.

The trouble with Gmask

The first thing I thought of was to gauge how well the service people in Gmask could cover my device. I was impressed by the confidence of the lady on duty in the Robinson’s Place Manila branch. She seemed like she knew her craft. After agreeing on which parts to cover and after paying, the lady proceeded to take out her instruments. This is when I started to rethink my decision.

I found out that the clear sticker was not templated– it had to be cut out from a huge sheet. It also did not help when she brought out her scalpel like device, which looked like it could scratch a phone like a warm knife through butter. Doubt slowly crawled its way out. I started to think about the specialized skills needed to perfect this. However, instead of backing out, I hoped that she would deliver as promised. I was told to comeback in an hour so I left my prized gadget despite my reservations.

I went back after more than an hour and the lady wasn’t finished yet. Was informed that she needed another 15mins. Wanted to tell her that maybe she should ask help from her sleeping companion but decided against it. 20mins later, she was done.

Upon inspection, I couldn’t see any imperfections. This was maybe because of the considerably weak lighting. I also remember feeling rough edges especially around the ports. I decided to let my doubts go since there was a 3 year warranty anyway.

Fast forward 3 months, this is what I discovered:

Personally I feel really disappointed. I expected so much better. Based on the imperfections, it was obvious that the staff was not too meticulous with the work. To be fair, the keypad job was so-so, but then, even a child could do that. Im not sure about the other wraps, but the clear Gmask is not worth the trouble. I realized from this experience that the dedication and skill of the person applying the skin is the most important factor to consider.

In which an old favorite changes

2010-07-13T18:53:00.001+08:00

When deciding where to eat, I always make sure to include an old favorite among the options. There is something very comforting about knowing what food to pick and knowing what to expect.

Seeing the new Racks in Robinson’s Place Manila brought back mouth-watering memories. The signature baby back ribs combined with the tangy spicy hickory smoke flavored sauce partnered with the delicious beans is simply to die for. Soon, I was off to bring tasty memories to life.

Racks sauces: a classic favorite

Upon ordering,we were informed that it would take 15mins. No issues there because it had been years since I ate in Racks. Whats 15mins more? So we patiently waited. In 10mins, the food arrived.

The flavors were as expected, however the meat was a big disappointment. Because of the yummy sauce it took a while for the truth to register – I just had the driest piece of meat ever.

I have to give them credit for the consistent sauce and beans that tasted just how I remembered. The new corn bread wasn’t bad as well. But the baby back ribs? My gosh. If the specialty sucks, then what future does the restaurant have? In my opinion, the meat was boiled too long and grilled too long. And why isn't the meat glazed like the posters and ads? Tsk tsk... no truth in advertising.

Service was not so bad, though it was obvious that the waiters were new and needed a crash course on etiquette. Also we constantly had to ask for water refills. Another thing that caught my attention was the filthy sauce bottles - which I think is a reflection of the branch managers cleanliness (or lack of it)

Sorry for the lousy photos, used a phone cam.

In which a Superbrand shows disregard to common values

2009-10-29T06:55:00.001+08:00

It has been more than a month since the tropical depression Ondoy has hit Manila but its effects still continue to reflect on the daily lives of Filipinos.

In times of crisis, even Superbrands like Toyota show their true color.

For the past month, Toyota Pasong Tamo extension, has been showing an absence of consideration. The deluge of cars affected by Ondoy are parked on the two lane street effectively causing major traffic during the morning rush hour. Toyota has become a beacon encouraging people who show disregard for courtesy by blocking the remaining lane. This is a clear sign of the company's "We dont care if we inconvenience others as long as we earn" policy.

See the parked Innovas? Toyota management took liberties in utilizing half the street as their parking lot.

This vehicle was blocking the road for more than 5 minutes, causing even more traffic while discussing with a Toyota representative. I was close to them the whole time, not once did I hear the Toyota rep tell the guy to park properly.

Its bothering how they obstruct traffic because they can get away with it. I even saw them "make arrangements" with a Makati policeman once when they were questioned for parking on the road. Is this how a Superbrand is? Where does their "I do it because I can get away with it attitude" stop? Whats next? Child labor? White slavery?

In which an alleged reputable place serves bad food

2009-10-22T12:26:00.001+08:00

I have heard a lot of good things about Sakae Sushi (in Mall of Asia) but was very disappointed. The place completed the unholy triumvirate of horrible service, bad food and high prices.

I only see two reasons for the good reviews I have seen - either their quality has degraded since those reviews or the reviewers have really bad taste.

The place was half full when I went there and some of them were foreigners so I was expecting an at least average meal. As I was choosing food from the conveyor belt thing, it was obvious that the food was more than a day old. Instead of seeing the obvious signal of bad quality and walking out, stupid me asked for the menu and ordered the best seller:

It was so bad I didnt bother remembering the name and price. All I remember was that the salmon was far from fresh and the little red eggs felt itchy in my mouth. Everything else was just as terrible. Tokyo Tokyo serves better sushi! And the horror of the soggy fried dumpling! For the price, I would have expected at least a properly fried dumpling!

I genuinely felt bad for the ignorant buffet patrons forking in cash for substandard food. This brings to mind a Filipino trait of loyalty without reason - people automatically unconsciously neglect the shortcomings of a brand because of its general reputation.

And I even had first hand experience of their bad hygiene - I saw a waitress drop a plate of sushi while transferring conveyors, and without as much as a guilty glance, or split second thought, non nonchalantly placed it back on the plate with her dirty hands so naturally, that I was inclined to think that this was a usual occurrence.

What exactly is the Sakae Sushi management thinking? Do they think that the novelty of plates on conveyor belts is enough to sell bad service and substandard food? Do they think they can make a mockery of the Filipino palate and sensibility? Well, unfortunately, I think that they have succeeded.

In which the best chefs prepare a dinner

2009-09-14T18:00:00.001+08:00

I recently attended an event called “Chef’s for Education”. It’s a benefit dinner event for some education program thing organized by Manila’s top chefs. At Php5,000 a head, this should be a great dinner.

The event started off in the art gallery inside White Space. They had the whole artsy superficial scene going with the glasses of champagne (Domaine Chandon Brut Rose) and assorted canapés. Area was very warm, but the free flowing alcohol made me forget about the inconvenience.

Then I heard someone on the mic mumbling incoherently. Then I notice that they didn’t place the speakers properly. Apparently we were supposed to start entering the Dining area. Upon entering the dining area, I thought that it would take a major production to get this thing in order.

Appetizers were ready when I was seated. Though it took me some time to figure out which appetizer was which, I have to admit, this was a highlight of the evening. Since fowl was used, the salami and prosciutto was less salty than usual.

The quail and bacon tortellini with mushrooms & white truffle was a good start. The way it smelled was exactly the way it tasted. The serving size was disappointing.

The Bouillabaisse was fabulous. The scallops were fresh (a rarity) and so were the fish and the prawns. This was sweet and fresh – exactly how seafood should taste.

From the appetizers to the soup, they were serving a creamy white wine (Banfi Fumaio) that for me lacked personality but was miles from the average table white.

This is when they start serving Banfi Collepino, a heavenly rich red wine.

Then the alleged highlight arrives, Poached Wagyu beef tenderloin, root vegetable pave, Swiss chard and rosemary jus. Another disappointment. I assume that the chefs wanted people to taste and appreciate the meat, thus the unforgivably bland dish. However, What they could have done was provide a tastier fruit based sauce splashed around (not necessarily on) the dish so people could have a choice. This was my first time to try Wagyu (aside from Salcedo Market’s burger) and it gave me the impression that Wagyu is miles away from Kobe beef. Have to try Wagyu soon to test my theory.

After the disappointment, I was quite full, but there were still a few dishes.

The salad of young leaves & flowers with citrus vinaigrette was like taking a bite from random leaves in a garden, taken with a spoonful of pure calamansi. Irritatingly sour. Call me an ignoramus for not appreciating earthy flavors, but let me point out that most of the people there hardly touched it. A bit of sweetness would have done wonders for this.

The different cheeses with the fruity bread was a cheese lover’s day in the park. No worries just simple pleasures. Funny thing with goat cheese is the correlation of the smell and the taste.

Croquembouche was good, would have preferred it if they put less lemon in the filling – personally, I think that Dulcinea has the best cream puffs.

The rhubarb, strawberry & white chocolate truffle was ok, except for one thing – sour fruits, and I always take it personally when I’m served sour fruits.

In which cleanliness isn’t a priority

2009-09-09T12:32:00.001+08:00

Feeling guilty after changing plans in a pinch, I felt that I had to make it up to sheep-y somehow. Then I spy Bread Talk. What better way to show remorse than to spend for over priced bread from a glorified well packaged panaderia.
Since everyone raves about the pork floss bread thing or its variants, naturally, that’s what I decided to get.

This is a short narration of my Bread Talk adventure.

First thing I did was wait for them to replenish their unwashed oily trays, then I got a filthy pair of tongs which advertised their best sellers by having pieces of it. Then proceeded to an uneventful choosing of pork floss bread.

It’s so thoughtful of the staff to sweep the pieces of bread on the floor under their shelves otherwise customers would be slipping on it. After staring at their dirty prep area and oil stained marble floors while waiting in a slow moving line, I finally paid to the cashier who had an expression that said “I’m unattractive, under paid and unhappy with my life.”

Here are some of the thoughts that ran through my head during my Bread Talk awakening:
· The whole tray and tongs system is one big joke. A supposed system for hygiene became bacteria breeding ground. I would rather hold the bread with my unwashed hands, at least I know where my hands came from.
· It’s obvious that current management is incompetent. Wouldn’t take a genius to see how filthy the place is with matching dilapidated signs.
· No camera’s huh? None of the staff seemed to mind my snapping a few shots. Methinks they don't want people taking evidence of their filthy store. Wouldn't it have been easier to clean up?

· The staff was obviously unfamiliar with customer service etiquette.
· For the price, don’t customers deserve better?

This Bread Talk is the one in the Glorietta entrance near Ascott. Visit the place and see for yourself.

In which the Urbanite Run story is told

2009-08-18T09:15:00.001+08:00

A few weeks ago, I heard about the Kenny Rogers Urbanite run. The concept was basically a fun run to be held in the evening. Since the concept was unique and there were no major runs that weekend, I thought why not.

The claiming of the race kits was an urbanitemare. My brother went there on the first claim day and was told to come back the next day. And when he went back the next day, they made him wait for 3 hours so he decided to go back the next day. 3 parking tickets later, He was finally able to get the kits, only to find out that he was wrongly assigned in 5k. After a promise of correcting the error, he was informed that there was no singlet yet. Maybe its just me, but isnt that too much trouble for simply collecting a race kit?

Right before the race 3 of us who joined made last minute preparations. Lo and behold, one of our kits did not contain the race chip. Isn't that one of the premiums we paid for? Even if we did discover that it was missing during the claiming, I doubt if they could have done anything about it. I heard a lot of people complain about this.

The race was average. Motorists who were caught in the rerouting were not at all ashamed in showing their displeasure and there seemed to be a lot of first timers and not that much pros - which is a good thing.

The next day, wanting to eat reliable comfort food, I decided to try the Urbanite meal.

I had to wait 15mins for the first part of the meal (spag and muffin) to arrive. Not being sure of what the meal consisted of, I would have appreciated it if the waiter was polite enough to apologize for the long waiting time and also inform me that the other stuff was coming.

The next part was a salad with 1/4 chicken. The salad had really wilted soggy leaves and had bits of decaying leaf. The apples used were the sourest red apples ever! I dont know why, but I grew up thinking that serving a person bad fruits is an insult. As for the chicken, it was as expected.

I know the objective of this whole exercise is to drive people to Kenny Roger's, however, it had a different effect on me. It shows the inexperience and weaknesses of the organizers and that Kenny Roger's is, despite all the healthy BS rebranding and weak product innovations, still is and will always be simply a place that sells distinctly flavored average tasting chicken.

In which disappointment surrounds

2009-07-23T09:01:00.001+08:00

Last night, for the first time, I watched a Dennis Trillo movie. There were 3 other main characters but Dennis' was the only name I remembered. In fairness to the others, though Im no expert, the other 3 actors performed in Astig quite well. What bothered me though were the excessive cameos. It ruined the indi feel for me. Oh and special mention to Glaiza de Castro's performance. Her looks, voice and general appeal was perfect for her "CD" lass role.

If Philippine movies were of the caliber, then I would probably watch Pinoy films more often. The conversations were very realistic and quite natural. People with sheltered lives would probably squirm at the excessive use of invectives.

What made my first indi film experience in Cinemalaya memorable was the couple behind me. The couple behind me was the dynamic duo of irritation. Besides laughing everytime they could, they were screaming at evey cameo (which was a LOT of times) and making the most stupid comments. I shushed them a couple of times but their peasant upbringing made them impervious to appeals of good sense.

There were a number of inconsistencies, and forced scenes however, generally, it was a good movie and I would recommend it to people.

In which the ambience does not matter

2009-07-15T14:37:00.002+08:00

My brother, who takes time to go around Malate to try small restaurants has only praises for this place. I tried Ping Mang a couple of years back when it was still called Success Tea House. All I remember was the pancit which used spaghetti noodles. I was so impressed that I have successfully made a dish based on this.

Recently, my brother started raving about the fresh and affordable food that he rediscovered so naturally I had to try it.

Inside, the place really looked worn down like your average Binondo restaurant. Patrons I noticed were either boisterous Korean (maybe Taiwanese) students or loud mouthed under dressed Chinese. Smoking is allowed inside, which makes the place even sleazier.

For this review, I decided to order the food that I had tried earlier which were the pancit spaghetti, steamed suahe and the steamed King Fish.

This dish was disappointing. I had ordered something else but was given this. I was in a good mood so I thought what the heck. After tasting it, I regretted my kindness. It was bland and soggy very inferior compared to the pancit spaghetti which I had tried in a previous visit.

I was surprised with this dish. Based on my basic seafood knowledge, I made the conclusion that its definitely not suahe. Aside from the labeling confusion, this was good enough to comeback for over and over again. Literally freshness you can taste. I don’t think there is a way to make this taste better. The soy sauce concoction that came with it did even more magic.

The King Fish was another pleasant surprise. Like the suahe, this was freshness you can taste. The sauce was also soy sauce based so the experience was quite similar to the suahe. Despite the similar flavor, I know I would definitely be back to order both.

Fresh and affordable (food for enough for 3 to 4)

Ping Mang is is in 1688 J Bocobo St. cor Malvar St. Parking can be a bitch at times so be warned.

In which shame is brought upon a good name

2009-07-09T09:37:00.001+08:00

One of my all time classic favorites is Aristocrat. Over the years, this timeless classic still continues to find room for improvement. I think I would not be exaggerating if I say that Aristocrat is a modern day Filipino tradition.

When I first saw Reyes Barbecue, I was immediately interested in its concept, and also by the fact that it is owned and most likely managed by the reputable Reyes family, the family that owns Aristocrat. Imagine more affordable chicken / pork barbecue with peanut sauce and java rice... stuff that would kill even the strictest diets.

I tried the liempo in RB twice in different branches and both times the pork was absolutely undeniably terrible. I just had to try it twice, I was hoping that the first bad experience was just isolated, but the second was even worse. I'm no pork connoisseur but as a Filipino (the Philippines is known to have good pork FYI) I know what bad pork is. Ive eaten in a wide range of eateries - from the packed San Marcelino taxi eatery to the ubiquitous barbecue stands of Tramo in Pasay, and nowhere have I tasted pork this bad. To be fair, the Java rice, free soup and the watered down peanut sauce were quite good, but the pork? This is probably how double dead pork would taste.

What I don't understand is why would the Reyes family associate their good name with such an inferior product? How can pork that bad pass anyone's standards? Even a little kid would know how bad the pork is. Even if they can fool people into buying and eating their gamey sub-standard pork, I don't think its worth staining a good name for.

Reyes Barbecue is everywhere, visit their store and avoid the pork! If you decide to try the chicken barbecue, please tell me about it.

In which an annoying restaurant serves disturbing chicken

2009-06-18T10:24:00.001+08:00

Every time I pass by the corner of Roxas Boulevard and Buendia, I always notice the Singing Cooks and Waiters Bakahan at Manukan. From what I remember, this restaurant used to be quite a hit in the late 80s, until it slowly faded away. Its one of those restaurants that have recall, yet no one really goes to. After passing by the place so many times, I suddenly noticed a huge photo of "Chicken Tinupig". Not being fond of chicken, it was only months after that when something in me decided to do research on it. Based on what I gathered, its basically chicken marinated in gata (coconut milk). Very interesting and unheard of, so I just had to try it.

Entering the place, I immediately regretted my decision. The place lived up to its name - the cooks and waiters were singing complete with dance number. Inside the place was obviously old - it smelled like it. Still, something in me was urging me to slug it out. Deciding to brave it, I immediately ordered the Php294 Chicken Tinupig. Then a group of balikbayans with their foreign husbands start singing with the chorale. That could have been the last straw had I not ordered yet.

Since it was so noisy and I couldn't hear myself think, I instead observed the very happy and amused crowd. It was quite a surprise that the place was almost half full. In less than 10mins, the chicken arrived.

The chicken looked really ordinary and had nothing distinct about it. When I moved the chicken to take photos of it, I was surprised to find out how soft it was. First thing that popped in my head was how they could manage to grill something this soft. (sheep-y later discovered that they wrap the chicken in banana leaves when grilling, hence "tinupig" duh!) After taking lousy photos of it, it was time to taste it.

No bullshit, this was one of the best tasting chicken I have had. I'm no fan of white meat but I didn't mind eating the breast parts. The meat was tender and the skin was bursting with cholesterol goodness. I was in flavor paradise. The taste was so unexpected. I was disturbed. how could such a place have such chicken? Does this mean I have to go back just for the chicken?

The singing frenzy went on during the meal, but I didn't care. Then a singing waiter intentionally drops a pan lid to make the most annoying sound in the world to bring me back to my senses. I then take another bite. The waiter who dropped the pan lid had no idea that a piece of chicken saved his life.

In which a food trip goes down the toilet

2009-06-04T09:14:00.001+08:00

The moment I set foot on Singapore the first thing I wanted to do was eat. Even on the plane I was dreaming of the hyped hawker delights.

First stop Concorde Hotel basement.

This was the best Hainanese Chicken ever. The chicken melts in your mouth. The blanched veggies were amazing too. The rice was obviously cooked with the chicken. The order didn't come with the ginger dip thing like here in the Philippines, but I didn't mind.

Dinner in Lau Pa Sat

It's a mystery how my photos were deleted. Anyway, this place had a lot of flies compared to all the other places I went to in Singapore. The food sellers here were hard selling-reminding me of the effeminate guys in Macapagal. The winner here was the grilled stingray and the assorted satay - beef, chicken and lamb.

Breakfast at Killiney Kopitiam

This is the authentic Singaporean breakfast.

Kaya toast is simply a toast lathered with Kaya spread (a coconut and egg jam) with a chunk of butter. Tasted wonderful, though I felt my arteries clogging. Also had perfectly softboiled eggs with this. Had this everyday for the duration of my stay.

The soup dish, Mee Siam tasted of curry and citrus. This is great combined with the Kaya toast. They bring out each others flavor.

We all loved the coffee - a coffee concoction sweetened with condensed milk. The place was quite full and had quite a number of people lining up for coffee.

The Nasi Lemak tasted really Filipino. Sweet, salty and spicy, this dish would be enjoyed by most asians. The dish consisted of dried fish in sweet chili sauce and rice all of it wrapped in a bannana leaf. It had an interesting side dish that tasted like laing leaves ground to a paste then mixed with egg. My apologies for the horrendous photo.

Lunch at Flavors of Singapore in Sentosa

I expected a lot more from the soft-shelled chili crab, satay, and curry. Presentation was good though.

Dinner at Maxwell

Food here sucks. Don't bother going here. My friend Loco says not all. I say its not worth trying. And to think that this hawker place is in Chinatown. The duck was not fresh and the seafood dish bland. To be fair the oyster cake was good, but everything else ranged from plain to bad.

Lunch at Newton Food Center

This was the highlight of the food trip. We had roasted chicken, fried rice, squid, veggies, a noodle dish and stingray again. We ordered so much food that normal circumstances wouldn't have allowed us to finish it. Was surprised to find out later from my brother that it was my friend Loco who paid for everything. Probably a factor in making the food taste even better. Thanks Loco!

That night though, I had totally no appetite. I could not imagine eating again. To make matters worst, my stomach was really upset. I had no idea if I was constipated or had LBM. It was obvious what my body was telling me. I had eaten too much. That pretty much ruined a potentially enjoyable evening in Clark Quay.

Honorable mention

Pork Noodle - this dish is the bomb. Looked simple but tasted great. I have never had noodles this good ever. Had this twice.

Siopao in Singapore is wonderful. Whether you buy it in 711 or hawkers, they are all wonderful.

In which the bounties of the sea are served in P. Tamo

2009-05-22T09:36:00.001+08:00

What I'm writing will be based on my 2 visits. I'm willing to forgive the record breaking slowest service ever,because they were newly opened then, and because of the praiseworthy kinilaw na malasugi (swordfish seviche) and Sizzling Bihod (fish roe) I will forgive but never again order the dry and tough "Sizzling Diana".

Yaman Gen San is a restaurant in arguably the most congested, populated and polluted area of Pasong Tamo. The surroundings can be a turn off but the facade and the general ambiance make the place a safe try.

On my first visit, I tried the Sizzling Bihod which tasted of butter like 90% of the paluto dishes in Macapagal. However, this dish stands out because of the Chinese twist. The serving size is quite reasonable too.

The Kinilaw na Malasugi is the winner here. This is what made me visit the second time. Warning to those with a low threshold for spicy stuff, make sure you check every bite for pieces of sili. The first time I tried this, I couldn't believe how fresh the fish was. The second time, the fish didn't seem as fresh though it was still exceptional.

I asked the waiter what their fish specialty was and he told me it was the Sizzling Diana. This would be great for people who like chewing on Havaianas.

This spicy spareribs is no scene stealer but I would order it again.

The first time I went here, it took an hour for my orders to start arriving. The owner(or manager) was apologetic and approached 45mins (too late) into the long wait. He reasoned that there was some issue with their LPG. LPG? Uh, I ordered Kinilaw, since when did people start cooking Kinilaw? Anyway, if it weren't for the kinilaw, I wouldn't consider anymore visits.

On my two visits, the owner(or manager) approached us to tell us that the place was expanding and that they were considering a Cafe type setup with WiFi. Kinilaw with Cappucino, yummy.

Yaman Gen San is along Pasong Tamo near Phil Daily Inquirer. If you're coming from Shopwise going towards JP Rizal, It will be to your right, past Montojo St.

In which the insensitive is enlightened

2009-05-19T18:29:00.002+08:00

I do not feel pity for the poor. I used to but not anymore. Teary-eyed children begging on the streets on Christmas Eve, pleas on the radio for donations for a person with a degenerative disease, informal settlers with demolished homes, I’ve grown indifferent to it all.

I believe that people giving to beggars on the street are reckless and selfish. These people give to beggars so they can feel good about it. They choose to forget the fact that the act they did to make themselves feel better encourages their recipients to be mendicants.

I do not believe in charity. It is against the natural order of things. Everything has a corresponding value. There shouldn’t be free lunches, it has to be worked for or well deserved. Being poor isn’t a free lunch badge; it’s a purpose to work harder.

Having a growing interest in creative photography, I wanted to take photos that were emotional and moving. And what is more emotional and moving than needy people? Again, poor people don’t move me, but it does affect a lot of people.

I took a shot of this kid outside Manila Medical from inside a car, while waiting for my mom. The kid was pretty pissed of while I was taking his photos. I felt nothing for the photo, was even supposed to delete it. Imagine my surprise when friends told me that this was my best photo yet.

While waiting in Ma Mon Luk for their famous dog/wet rag smelling soup, I photographed this kid begging in the entrance.

After staring at the photos, I felt a new understanding. I saw a beauty I never noticed. The expression in her eyes was telling me a story.

The combination of light and the absence of it blended together to capture an emotionally charged moment in a photograph.

Photography has shown me a new way of understanding the complexity of human emotion. I now see poverty in a wider spectrum though my views remain the same.

In which a restaurant in Makati prematurely fades

2009-05-15T09:13:00.002+08:00

A few months ago, passing along Pasong Tamo during the 7:30pm traffic frenzy (cor Herrera) I noticed a quaint little resto's fading sign that read "Thai Sticks and Steaks"

At first glance, Thai Sticks and Steaks looks like a stereotype building canteen that serves tipid meals with a free bowl of soup. Every evening I pass the resto, I couldnt help but notice that it would be totally deserted - exactly what one would expect from a resto with a fading sign, hideous facade and cheesy name.

Last night, sheep-y and I couldn't decide where to eat given our limited budget. It was actually a toss up between Mang Inasal and Yaman Gensan until I remembered about that Thai Steak place. I was imagining an overdone hunk of beef on a sizzling plate with a spoon of corn and a side of rice. It would take a lot of effort to mess something like that up. (5/20/09 Update: I did try the steak, it sucks!) So with our managed expectations, it was decided. Parking was a breeze. Didn't even bother to park properly.

Stepping inside I couldn't help but notice the extensive overhead menu. They had quite a number of Thai dishes. However, I still wanted a steak. Sheep-y is ranting over an item on the menu, she called it kratong-tong, though it was called "crispy chicken cups" in the menu. We also note that this place has some Sukhothai logos around. A low end version of Sukhothai?

When I found out that all the steaks were sold out, I almost walked out. Logic creeped in. Either they have good steaks, ergo, have good food, or they have a small inventory because it doesn't sell. (5/20/09 Update: Its the latter definitely) Deciding to give this place another chance, I proceeded to order.

The crispy chicken cups aka kratong-tong (ground chicken with corn in a crispy pastry cup) was a surprise. Imagine the contents of a good chicken empanada in a crispy bread cup. At 80php for 3 pieces,in a place that looks like this, it should be.

The Tom Yum soup is the best in its class. Definitely better than Soms or Chariya's. The Tom Yum here made me realize what I hate about this dish. Since its not a clear soup, you have no idea what you are putting in your mouth. I don't enjoy being surprised by tough vegetable stalks and other wood like textures.

The 130php Pad Thai was the dark horse. A lot better than Soms and Chariya's. This is the new benchmark for Pad Thai.

I had low expectations for this dish. (sizzling minced pork with eggplant). When I saw it I knew immediately I was going to be so disappointed. It was on a sizzling plate but wasn't sizzling. I didn't plan to glorify the mistake of ordering this with a photo. To my surprise, it tasted a lot better than it looked. It had a tad bit too much salt, but was generally ok. Nice compliment to the Pad Thai. Had to take a photo.

I'd choose this place over Soms or Chariya anytime. The food here tastes a lot better. This is a definite must try for Thai food fans.

Thai Sticks and Steaks is in Marvin Building Herrera cor. Pasong Tamo St. They are transferring to Katipunan though by end of May.

In which an old tradition dies

2009-05-12T14:27:00.001+08:00

For as long as I can remember, President Tea House in Salazar St in Binondo has been known in our family as the end all and be all of chinese cuisine. For a lot of other families I know, President is also the default chinese restaurant in Binondo for celebrations.

Last Sunday, we decided to eat in good old reliable President. This is what we ordered for our group of 2 kids and 4 adults:

- salt and pepper spare ribs
- minced pigeon with lettuce
- fish with tausi
- roasting set
- shrimp balls
- kaylan leaves in garlic
- salted fish fried rice
- 3 kinds of dimsum

The dimsum was so-so, the pigeon was average, I have had better leftover spare ribs in North Park, and the fish was ordinary. Having plain unremarkable food in a placed hyped by tradition doesn't make a good lunch. Not to mention the terrible service. None of the dishes we ordered deserved space on my camera's memory card.

The taste of President may have been the best during the 70s to the 90s but that was before the influx of new Chinese restaurants popping left and right introduced Filipinos to new and different flavors. There are so many good restaurants now that have contemporary flavors and yet still continue to develop and innovate. An example would be Di Mark's pizza. They used to be great then, but when they made a comeback, their "classic taste" didnt stand a chance against Yellow Cab and the constantly reinvented Shakey's and Pizza Hut. Nowadays, Filipinos have better educated palates. A restaurant rooted in tradition will most likely die out together with its ancient patrons.

That afternoon, I was disappointed enough to loudly declare that I would have preferred to eat in Estero, and brave the combination canal and used cooking oil stench. Seeing that I offended my mom and sis, I took it back and instead said, "Ok, not estero, North Park?"

In which a regular is unexpectedly surprised

2009-05-08T20:32:00.001+08:00

Shawarma Snack Center (SSC) is affordable, tasty and authentic. The place would have been perfect except for a a few things:
- the rudest waiters
- occasional sleazy foreigner
- slow service
- occasional beggars
- scarcity of ox brain
- stupid name

Having recently found a new perspective I decided to have some fun by giving a little review.

The food

What I ordered, as usual was the open plate shawarma. For 95php, this is a steal. I dont't have much experience with Middle Eastern cuisine, but this dish I imagine would be close to how the real thing tastes. It would not be fair to compare this place to Behrouz, Mister Kabab, or any of those mall shawarma places. The use of rosemary prevents any comparison to the "mall types" and the complex texture of the meat brought about by a mixture of beef pieces ranging from crispy well done to succulent medium well, makes the first bite a memory. Warning to those with weak teeth - the crunchy pieces will give you a toothache.

I enjoy the mutabal here. The flavors and textures of the ingredients are fused together into a harmonious taste. All I know about this dish is that it has eggplant and olive oil. It doesn't even look like it has eggplant. Personally, I prefer this mutabal over Cafe Med's. This night's taheena lacked just a little garlic. Nothing a little garlic sauce couldn't fix.

The other noteworthy food here is the ox brain, the goat biryani (expensive for a place like this, around 200php) , keema, and humus. I'm sure that there are other good dishes here that I haven't tried.

There was one thing very wrong this evening. I was surprised to the point of lethargy. The normally rude waiters seemed cheerful and polite - a contrast to the incessant rain. The food this evening arrived before I even remembered that this place had slow service. No sleazy foreigners and no beggars. For some reason, it didn't feel the same.

They have two branches across each other. I go to the cheaper one and have no intention of ever going to the other one because its a lot more expensive - around double.

Guess which is which?

SSC is in Salas St between Mabini and MH del Pilar in Malate.

In which we find out how a wine dinner goes downhill

2009-05-05T18:53:00.000+08:00

I received an email from Wine Depot informing me of an event called Slices. The event was being sold as a dinner of gourmet pizzas paired with fine wines. With a below 2k per head price tag, how could I resist.

Before making reservations for the event, I couldn’t help but notice that they had 2 prices: 1,950php for Regular members and 1,750php for Privileged members. From what I’ve gathered, a regular member is a member who buys wines on a semi regular basis, while a privileged one buys wines on a regular basis. Generally, it is likely that a privileged member can buy more wines because he or she is more affluent than a regular member. Than why the hell is there a discount for richer people? A flawed marketing strategy? Or a way to weed out undesirables?

I was in L’ Opera at the Fort by 6:30pm. Since the crowd would most likely be expats, I was expecting a prompt start. Suprisingly, event started past 7:30. I guess Filipino time is contagious.

Please excuse the limited and horrible photos. Lighting was terrible.

Starters

Pizzette – was a nice tease. Opened my imagination and raised my expectations.

Calzoncini – would have been great if served in Sbarro. It neutralized the excitement from the Pizzette

Simi Sauvignon Blanc – im no fan of whites, but I cant deny that this complimented the starters well

Slice 1

Salmon Mascarpone - salmon, rucola, caramelized onions, capers and mascarpone

- this is how a gourmet pizza is expected to taste, crust had the consistency of cardboard though

Slice 2

The Colonnata – grilled veggies, anchovies and lardo di colonnata

- this tasted heavenly, again, the euphoria was dampened by the cardboard crust. My jaw acknowledges the extra effort.

Slice 3

The Countryside – spinach, mushrooms and parmesan

- this had a sort of Shakey’s vibe to it. A good break from the rich flavored predecessors. Not sure if this was the underdone pizza crust, by this time my jaw was numb and I was getting full.

Rosso di Montalcino Italy – a good table wine Nothing noteworthy. Was a bit tipsy after drinking it. Made me realize I had to start pacing

Slice 4

Paolo’s Way – anchovies, sausages, capers, mushrooms

- was on the salty side. I love anchovies but I didn’t enjoy this so much. By this time I was full. I decided to just have a bite of every slice, and sip on the wine.

Slice 5

Slice of Heaven – foie gras, rucola, ricotta and vin santo sauce

- the foie gras was gamey and my jaw was numb.

Killerman’s Run Shiraz – Im a shiraz fan – but not this one. Found it too salty. I’d take the more affordable E-minor anytime.

Slice 6

Tutto formaggi – lots of different cheeses

- was drunk and full with an aching jaw. How am I supposed to remember how this tasted. Was considering going home

Grant Burge Frontignac – this was another scene stealer, it actually woke me up and opened my eyes to appreciating white wine. Will be having this in Purple Feet soon.

Slice 7

Fruit Salad – mango, banana, orange with brown sugar, chocolate sauce

- the pleasant medley of favors made up for the lack of creativity. The crust was crisp on the bottom. Interesting and worth a second bite.

Castello Banfi Grappa – according to a good friend who was with us at the time, when served grappa, place a drop in your palm, rub until dry, cup your hands and smell deeply. The smell is how the vineyard smells. When I tried this, I smelled a hint of peaches and a fruity earthy smell. As an added bonus, my hands felt like they had been moisturized. Then I decided to taste it. My mistake, it was like taking gin straight up.

Slice 8

Pizza mascarpone and nutella – tasted as expected. I don’t blame the chef for running out of ideas.

Santa Vittoria sparkling and still water was served all night. After taking more than 5 glasses of this, my opinion was cast in stone – this is no different from tap.

In which the customer isn't king

2009-05-04T21:20:00.003+08:00

Fat Michael's is one of those places that everyone raves about. Naturally, the Filipino in me just had to try it.

After getting off sheep-y's car one of them stereotype industrious watch your car boys immediately approached us to tell us that he would watch the car. As expected of me, I asked him to take a good look at the car and tell me if it needs watching. He insisted that he would watch it anyway so I indulged his security guard fantasy.

People who have been to this place describe it as artsy and/or eclectic. I would rather describe this place as “making do with what you have within a limited budget while making it look artsy”

I have tried four dishes here and here is what I feel about each.

The unremarkable pasta – I don’t remember what pasta it was, only that it had a marinara sauce. Tasted like a pasta I would make for the first time.

The salad – it was the salad with some fruits on it and candied walnuts. Nothing extraordinary. I would rather go to Cyma, they have a bigger serving and better quality.

The kesong puti pizza with seafood - The cheeses coupled with the tangy sauce would make any Filipino tastebud swoon. Cheese topping diminishes exponentially with every visit though.

Corn n Chops – I usually don't bother remembering names of dishes. This was rememberable. A huge slab of grilled pork chop served with an interesting version of garlic rice with corn on the side. The size of the pork chop alone makes this dish worth its 280++ tag. It tastes quite average but the combined flavor of the rice, pork, corn and barbecue sauce makes it a noteworthy ride.

If you’re a wine enthusiast, don’t order the red wine! Its often old and served in chipped gaudy glasses.

The most noteworthy thing about this place and I'm sure that everyone will agree, are the snooty owners. They don’t just act like they own the place – they make you feel that they own it. The white haired mustachioed waiter is impatient, un attentive and often fresh. The cook, the overly serious chap with glasses often on his laptop, isn’t at all discreet about what he thinks of other customers. Its not uncommon to hear him complaining about rowdy customers or those that forget to close the door on their way out. When eating in Fat Michael's, asking for extra napkins or a water refill can earn you a reprimand from the waiter.