Downing a Milk Tea in Bon Appetea

I must say that milk teas are way healthier than the acidic sodas that we are accustomed to drinking during stressful days. I have  no idea of the sugar content of both drinks but gulping milk teas makes me calmer (of course, milk contains tryptophan and calcium that respectively aid in attaining a serene sleep and in developing strong bones) compared to softdrinks which possess high caffeine content. I don’t have anything against sodas though. I admit I can’t resist them in other days.

I tried one in Bon Appetea (situated in Gen. Luna St, Iloilo City just across the Atrium mall) and it was delicious. In fairness, I had the ultimate fun of sipping it down to the very last sago.

For those who are chocolate lovers, they serve frappes that offer such flavours. One wouldn’t just expect a menu of relaxing milk teas all throughout since Bon Appetea brings to the plate a variety of drinks that will satisfy one’s thirst in a prize that don’t exceed a hundred bucks.

Bon Appetea’s interior is chic, you’ll be comfortable enough to bring your books for a review for that upcoming exam or your trusty laptops for updating a facebook status since wifi is available. It wouldn’t hurt to coax your barkada to have a milk tea bonding time and enjoy your seemingly interminable conversations over these soothing drinks that will surely boost your happy hormones up.

Photographs For Lolo

I am offering these pictures taken by my C5 Nokia phone to my lolo who has just passed away this April. I am deeply saddened by his loss but knowing that he is now united with God makes this sobbing feeling vanish. Tatay, your memories will surely stay in my heart even if you're not here physically to ask me if I have already eaten or if I have some errands to attend to. Thanks for always being the loving, concerned, and supportive grandpa that I had. Rest in peace now. Surely, there will be neither pain nor suffering in heaven.

Lola (2009)

I had watched my first Brillante Mendoza film entitled Lola. My teenage sister bought a cd of it for an assignment and we viewed it together in our living room. the moment it played on our tv screen, you would immediately conclude that this movie was the real definition of "indie".

Lola seemed to be captured on a shaky handy-cam or maybe, a cellphone with a trusted video. It didn't frequently cut from one angle to another since the camera just moved from the one person who was uttering some lines to another character who had the turn for his/her spiel. Nevertheless, the cinematographer incorporated wide angle views and far shots that were very adroitly taken.

photo credit: www.pep.ph

The heartwarming film is a story about a lola (grandmother) who intrepidly searched for justice for his grandson who was killed by an unknown guy. She was caught up amidst the difficult situation of forgiving the suspect behind his son's death since the former's main folk who was asking for dispense was also a grandmom like her. She could perceive how tough it was for this woman of same age and who was also living in poverty as her to be undergoing such wearisome and arduous process.

The two actresses who played the lolas naturally performed their roles, making scenes utterly sincere. They skillfully adapted to the slum environment that the characters lived in and to the absurd situations that accompanied it. Example was the drudgery of being able to process government forms just so court hearings  may push through.

Furthermore, forgiveness and understanding reigned at the end of the movie. The two determined lolas were hapless victims of unwanted circumstances which were out of their control. Since the suspect’s party made an effort to admit their mistakes and humbled themselves, the other party settled and made peace with them so that both could move on with their respective lives.

Indeed, the film spurred in me how love for family could conquer whatever trial that may come their way no matter what your status is in the society. Even the poor could find the most desperate option just to find solution to a family member’s problem even if this means spending a lot of money.

Poverty isn’t a pretext to finding justice and truth in this world where everything seems to revolve around money. Through love and hope, one can find equality in a community replete with corruption since there are many solutions as long as one bravely looks for it despite lack of bucks and education.