mahirap kalabanin ang damdamin…

I hate looking at you because I find you cute.
I hate talking to you because I’m always lost for words.
I hate being with you because because I can’t help but smile

I hate Mr Possibility
We’re like Heaven & Earth. Well, more like, Purgatory & Earth.  I’m Heaven/Purgatory…haha…

I think you should be Mr. Impossibility instead.

But you still make me smile and I cant help it.

 

 

In Celebration of Cravings 21st Year, Delight in Glorious Meal with sumptuous entrees, rich specialty pasta or delectable sandwiches that comes with eat-all-can soup and salad for Php 210.

Patti and I availed the promo one lunch time in Cravings, Fraser Place. The resto was packed, some people even had to dine in the patio are which was not a good thing since it was hot and humid.

There was a long queue in the salad bar and it took a while for the staff to refill the bar.

I tried the garden and potato salad which was really good. The salad greens are very fresh and the dressing is tasty. The pumpkin soup was also good but a bit diluted. We were able to consume a lot of soup and salad since it took a long time for our entree to arrive.

I ordered the Old Fashioned Beef Pot Roast with Sour Cream Potato Sauce and was very disappointed. The beef was very tough and tasted bland. The Potato sauce was rather ordinary. I even requested for a chili sauce to make the pot roast tastier.

Patti ordered the Sole Fish with Herbs which was a bit salty for her taste. The sauce actually suits my bland beef.

Our entree had generous servings but the taste failed my expectations. I wasnt able to finish my beef pot roast because it wasnt good enough and the I was already full from the salad. Overall, the Promo is indeed a value for money. But the food quality not as good as I expected, perhaps, I ordered the wrong entree. On normal days, an entree would cost Php450 to Php 500, which would probably make me very disappointed person. I have dined in Craving Katipunan before and I find the food quality rather ordinary. Cravings is positioning itself as a full service restaurant but food quality and cuisine type is yet to be branded in the minds of the Filipino.

I do recommend the 21 Days of Glorious Food Promo but for a normal dining day, Cravings is not a place for delicious meals and definitely not a restaurant with value for money.

Promo runs from October 10 to November 8, 2009.

After our uber spicy korean dinner, we were already looking for a sweet dessert. We decided to go to Le Bar at Sofitel to try out their Mango Roll but it was unavailable, the other desserts were still yummy looking but we didnt feel like eating the chunky chocolate balls.

We decided to head off to Starbucks but we hanged out in Sofitel’s garden area first. We found some lounge chairs and enjoyed the cool sea breeze, it was really relaxing. I hope all restaurants in manila have that relaxing and serene ambiance.

Although Sofitel’s furbishings is getting old and rusty, it still has its luxurious and serene ambiance. I do hope that Sofitel will continue to offer the Filipinos experience.

I am not a fan of Korean food primarily because I havent been to a really good korean restaurant in manila… So when my friend invited me to have dinner in a Korean restaurant, I sort of hesitated but being the adventurous eater that I am, I agreed.

She brought us to MARU Korean Cuisine, a Korean restaurant along Diosdado Macapagal Ave, the side facing the Dampa restaurants. It was a big, spacious and well lit restaurant. There was an area with sit down tables but we chose to dine in the cross leg low tables.

We started with Maru’s 8 kinds of Complimentary Appetizer: Kimchi, Potatoes, Salted Fish, Egg Custard, Veggies, and a surprising serving of Long Green Chili with a Spicy Hot Sauce.

I personally love the sauteed baby potatoes which was spicy enough and the egg custard that will clean your palate after a spicy meal.

My friend and I braved to try the Green Chili which has a fresh taste and not spicy at all. The spicy flavor is in the chili sauce but it was tolerable. I could not explain the taste but it was a hot fresh appetizer

Then we had the Soondooboo Chige (Php 300), a Spicy hot curdled bean curd soup. It was sooo spicy good. I love the combination of the tofu and spice. this is a must try!

For our entree we had Ojing-uh Bokum (Php350), Squid sauteed in Spicy Korean sauce. The squid is tender and the sauce is just to die for. It was really spicy, I actually felt like inhaling chili. But we love this and the serving is good enough for 3 persons.

The Ojing-uh Bokum is also best paired with the Dolsot Bibimbap (Php 300) which we shared. Bibimbap is a common Korean dish, Rice toppings with assorted vegetable & egg in a hot stone bowl.

One of the most popular Korean dish is the Japchae. It is made by putting pan-fried vegetables such as thinly-sliced cucumber and radish, bean sprouts and ballonflowers into sweet potato noodles and stirring them on a pan. Of course we tried Maru’s Japchae (Php 350) which was really good and the best I’ve tasted in Manila. I usually find japchae bland but their’s is the best. The noodles is very tasty and the stirred vegetable adds so much flavor to the meal. This is good suggestion for those who cant bear the spicy food.

Just to Add, MARU offers complimentary Hot or Cold Tea which will soothe your spicy taste buds… haha…

Overall, I would recommend Maru to all Korean cuisine lovers and to all Koreans residing in Manila. The restaurant was filled a lot of Koreans nonetheless. I loved every meal we ordered and Korean cuisine is now in my To Eat list. I am actually craving now for hot & spicy Korean meal.

You wouldn’t miss MAru as they have big establishment and a sign. Although, the A in MARU seems to be blocked the street lamp post.

MARU Korean Cuisine. HK Sun Plaza, Diosdado Macapagal Ave, Pasay City. Tel No. 391-3034

I am Tom. Yes, I am a girl/woman who believes in “The One” and indeed I’ve had my share of Summers. Let me tell you my love story / un-love story.

My first summer was at twelve. I was young and cute. It was a series of firsts: the first date, the first bouquet of roses, the first love letter, the first lover’s quarrel, the first holding hands, and of the course the first heartache. I was young and foolish. It was my first time to experience boys attracted to me, boys fighting over me, and boys going crazy over me. but among all those I chose to be with the wrong boy. I thought I was smart enough, that I wont get hurt, that I can just go with the flow. But I was wrong, I’m just a Girl and he’s a Boy. I got hurt big time.

I sweared off summer for years till my second summer came at nineteen. But I never thought he was going to be a summer. I’ve known him for years, though we were never close enough, until i woke up one day and i saw autumn in him. He was nice, smart, funny and charming. He took care of me and showered me with all the affection he can give. Every moment together is special and Each day I find more reasons to be with him. I thought he was my autumn, but then I wasnt his autumn. and so he became another summer – the summer i’ve cried the most, the summer i broke down, the summer i’ve lost myself. But that summer made me rebuild myself again and realize that the world doesnt revolve on summers & autumns.

But it wasnt easy, especially when a third summer came at 22. It was a whirlwind summer, the summer i didnt expect to happen, and when it did, i wanted him to be my autumn, i never wanted it to end. But it did end because it didnt start right. And so the cycle repeats: endless crying, sleepless nights, drama moments and all the self-pity. I started questioning the essence of happiness, my happiness in fact. I was drowning myself in misery until there wasnt enough misery to drown myself. but in that drowning, I came face to face with happiness: family, friends, and colleagues who accepts me for who I am and for what I’m not. Happiness is a choice and it comes from within you. Moreover, Happiness is shared with people you love and who loves you and it doesnt equate to finding The One or being found by The One.

Those 3 summers: painful, harsh, hearbreaking but also life-changing. I couldnt say that I regret all those summers, as crappy as they may be, they made me happy and of course a woman strong in character.

As of now, autumn hasnt come yet but I am happy and contented. I have to admit that I’m hoping for an autumn but I’m not rushing. I know I will meet my Autumn sooner or later. In God’s Will…

500 Days of Summer is a great Rom-Com film. I strongly recommed the film. It makes you look back at your love and heartache stories with a smile, a tear, and a great understanding for love and life.

From Clickthecity: Director Webb further notes that “In making this movie, my first feature film, it is the happy ending that I didn’t have with Summer. It’s a whiff of the uncynical kid. Because under the humor and the whimsy of “500 Days of Summer,” there’s a fundamental truth at play: yes, love can be cruel, harsh and difficult but it’s by far, the best thing life has to offer.”

For the past couple of months, I’ve been receiving a lot Distiller invites. “C’mon, let’s chill at Distillery,” “OMG, I saw Jake Cuenca’s at Distillery,” “DIS-TI-LLERY, DIS-TI-LLERY, DIS-TI-LLERY!!!”

and so one friday night, i went with my colleagues to Distillery and I so LOVE it! It’s a small 2 storey bar with at least 100 sqm floor area. They serve a variety of international beers and other cocktails. The place has several cocktail tables, 2 drinking bars, and music is loud enough for you to have a conversation. The place has a chic ambiance, It is usually packed but it’s not a place to drink till you die, it’s a place to chill and have fun with your friends.

I am done with my clubbing/bar hopping stage, I actually prefer a quiet hangout: dinner, movie, dessert… But it’s still nice to rock your night once in a while. and I think I found the place to go whenever I need some rockin’ hahaha…

The highlight of the night is when the Jager Promo team gave everyone free shots. They were a group of hot, good looking/caucasian looking, fiery men & women. and our dear BMF is now an official party girlaloo… haha…

I love Distillery!!! TGIF!

The Distillery: Purveyors of Fine Whiskies & Other Libations

Located at: Unit 108, Forbeswood Heights Condominium, Forbes Town Center, Rizal Drive cor. Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Global City

Also at Jupiter Street.

I love Bugsy’s! The Ortigas Branch is such a cool hangout and I was ecstatic to know that Bugsy’s expanded their branch in Makati, just a 10mintue walk from my office! Yipee… Patti, Lois and I dropped by Bugsy’s for a quick Friday night drink and I totally love the Makati branch. Its chic yet masculine interior, dark wood finish, burgundy sofas, dimmed lights, and great food & drinks; what’s not to love? This is probably going to be my Monday-Friday night hangout… LOL.

Because I was feeling crappy & also hormonal, Patti treated me a Tequila Rose shot (Php 98), DIVINE! A Perfect Friday Night Drink to drive away your woes…

I could not leave Bugsy’s without eating their famous Buffalo Wings & Buffalo Tenders. Since I was on a “diet”, I settled for Buffalo Tenders (Php 175). The tenders are perfectly juicy & crispy; and the spicy & sour marinade  totally melts in my mouth. Fiery! But also High Calorie – damn, just for one night only.

Patti didn’t like the Buffalo Tender because it was spicy so she ordered the Fish & Chips (Php 185). It was also good, the battered sole fish didnt taste too oily and the lemon butter sauce complements the fish. It comes with french fries and the meal is good for 2 non-hungry females or for 1 Patti. But I’m not really a fan of fried fish, I still prefer fish to be grilled, steamed, seared, or sinigang.

By the time we left Bugsy’s, around 8PM, the place was already full and people are already waiting to be seated so I suggest you come earlyor call for reservations. Bugsy’s Makati also has a Smoking & Non-Smoking Area.

Bugsy’s Bar & Bistro -San Agustin St, Salcedo Village, Makati.

Today marks the Deepavali – the Hindu “Festival of Lights.” Hindus celebrate the annual Festival of Lights – Diwali – with elaborate light and candle decorations, creating a beautiful spectacle as the night draws in. It is one of most popular festivals associated with Hinduism and symbolically celebrates the victory of good over evil.

During my Singapore Visit last year, I was able to drop by Little India in Serangoon Road. Tourists dont normally go to Little India but it was Deepavali so my friend said that Little India is well-decorated so it’s a must see.

Little India is the center of the Indian community in Singapore. On the gate entrance of the community, we were greeted with a colorfully decorated arc with a banner saying “Festival of Lights.”

Most buildings have elaborate decorations and garlands were hanging inside the mall. Of course, there were are a lot of Indian merchandise being sold.

We passed by this alley filled with colorful Indian products hanging in every direction; beads & trinkets are everywhere!

I also saw this beautiful purse, hand-crafted and encrusted with beads. So Exotic!

We enjoyed walking around the area, the atmosphere was sooo festive! They say that the highlight of the Deepavali is at night where light and candle decorations creates a beautiful spectacle. Too bad, we cant stay for long!

Overall, the visit was an interesting cultural experience. It’s nice to experience how other cultures and religion celebrate their faith, beliefs, and values.

I do hope that I would have more experiences like this and that other people would learn to appreciate the culture of other nationalities – it’s not just Christmas…

I Personally do not like Jagermeister, I find it too strong, it tastes like gasoline to me. So I am not promoting Jager here, but I find one of their ads/mark comm interesting. Check this out:

 

The waiters in Good Earth were wearing this uniformed polo

Jägermeister was originally marketed as a medicinal product; it was suggested as a cure for everything from coughing to digestive problems. Jägermeister’s ingredients include alcohol, cane sugar, beet sugar, herbs, and spices. It is a digestif spirit similar to other central European stomach bitters, such as Gammel Dansk from Denmark, Unicum from Hungary, and Becherovka from the Czech Republic. In contrast to these beverages, Jägermeister has a sweeter taste (Wikipedia). Now, Jagermeister is marketed as an Alcoholic Drink.

In the Philippines, they are positioning themselves as a party drink. they sell a sexy Jager experience. well, sex sells! and Jager is a stong alcoholic drink, It can totally knock you down. Filipinos usually drink beer, cocktails, brandy, and wine – primarily because of the taste, the kick comes next. Advertising has been an effective communication tool and San Miguel was able to prove that. It’s famous tagline “Iba ang may Pinagsamahan” has been very effective because it promotes Togetherness / Oneness / Friendship of the Filipinos – societal values.

For Jager – definitely a stong kick but awful taste, and marketing communication for a Catholic Country is SEX !

So is this a GOOD or BAD ad?