My Choco Experience

Chocolates are my comfort food. I guess it’s true when they say that these sweet, milky dessert boost up body’s happy hormones called endorphins. No wonder, when I feel down and out with certain life dilemmas, chocolates are my ultimate quick fix.

            When I was still a bratty kid, my playmates and I were fond of buying these cheap tiny egg-shaped chocolates after hours of playing slipper game, ora-ora kamansi, or piko. These yummy, soft chocolates seemed to rapidly rejuvenate our exhausted bodies. We also liked the chocolate coins because after it melted in our mouths, we play with its gold or silver wrappers like they were teeth braces.

These egg-shaped chocolates are reminiscent of childhood snacks after some tiring games with playmates.  

            Have you ever tasted this creamy chocolate oozing from a plastic stick? It is popularly known as Krim Stix. I have always loved to nibble it either while watching tv or by simply lying on our comfy sofa, waiting for time to fly. I like making a minute cut in the chocolate stick so when squeezed, the contents will come out fine and curly, topping it on crunchy biscuits or flavoring it on whatever chips I fancy.

Krim Stix were the bomb during lazy afternoons when I was a kid.

            Since kinder, I have always been a fan of barquillos. And what do I get when these crispy cylindrical bread is internally swirled with sugary choco creampaste?  We get Stick-O! Just by eating it puts me in Cloud 9. I used to buy it in the neighboring tiangge for something to munch while waiting for a ride to the city.

Of course, how can imported chocolates be lost in my list? As long as I can remember, I have always been excited when my relatives abroad send us Hersheys, Kisses, Maltesers, Toblerone, Mars,  M&M’s, and many more. My lola even keep them in her cabinet to prevent us from incessantly eating them. I consider these sugary delights as perfect dessert to conclude a filling meal. Of course, we are always told to slow down from devouring them because they might cause teeth problems.

A few weeks ago, our tita working abroad sent us these well-loved, irresistible chocolates.

            Though these sweet tongue pleasers add flab to our bellies when consumed uncontrollably, we can’t deny the fact that they also offer us some health benefits. Usually, dark chocolates are the most beneficial ones. They contain antioxidants, neutralizing free radicals in the body that damage body tissues. Some studies discovered that dark chocolates lower high blood pressure as well as help the body metabolize sugar, thing that is of regard to diabetic individuals. But as the saying goes, too much of something is bad enough. Chocolates are enticing, delicious, and mouth-watering, but for us to continuously take it with fun and pleasure, eating it moderately is the way to go. I don’t want the time would come when my doctor would prescribe me some hypoglycemics for a shooting blood sugar.

You can experience rich and luscious cocoa in these Anthon Berg dark chocolate bar .  According to studies, dark chocolates are good antioxidants that lower high blood pressure.

            Surely, chocolates have been a part of my life from childhood up to this day. I could not imagine life, whether fun or sad, without these delectable stuff. I can say that, yes, chocolates is indeed an experience. And a wonderful experience at that.

Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank: More than just the Plot

Everyone seems excited to watch Cinemalaya’s “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank” directed by Marlon N. Rivera and starring one of today’s generation hottest comediennes, Eugene Domingo, who won a best actress award for the said independent film. To catch on this frenzy, I headed at Robinson’s Mall, Iloilo with my chilly green tea and a pack of Mr. Chips. And what can I say? I really laughed my heart out with the film’s simple yet convincing humor and cried my heart out as well with the touching issue presented in the movie that tackled poverty and its consequences.

The plot followed the adventure of young filmmakers composed of director Ranier (Kian Cipriano), producer BingBong (JM de Guzman), and production assistant Jocelyn (Cai Cortez), as they searched for the actress who would suitably portray the role of Mila, a poor mother of seven who decides to sell her children to a paedophile, in their film entitled “Walang Wala”. After thinking of possible actresses to fit the character, they decided to assign Ms. Eugene the role. The popular comedienne begged the filmmakers that she’d do anything except for one sequence in the script where she would take a plunge into a septic tank. As the filmmakers reviewed their thought-to-be winning script and Oscar worthy film bit by bit and arranged the necessary preparations from setting to the budget, the screen coincidently flashed through Jocelyn’s imagination the actual scenario in their story which changed into various concepts these movie-makers could ever imagine.

Eugene Domingo was pretty well adept in her acting skills not just in pulling off hilarious punch lines but also made it good in tear jerking dramatic scenes. She was also a satisfactory singer, acting while belting out in the film’s musical parts. Kian Cipriano was fresh in the eyes, acting simply and not too pushy. JM de Guzman I guess was a really good actor because he felt every emotion he expressed.  Though Cai Cortez didn’t have much dialogue, her presence was comically felt anyway.

I commend the film’s script for its wittiness, with lines that were simple yet relatable and entertaining. The shots taken were stylishly varied depending on the treatment. One musical part was taken theatrically  so the scenes were captured as if you’re watching a stage play. Another part was treated as a documentary film so the video moved shakily for it to be more realistic.

Some movie-goers thought that the story left them hanging for it was “bitin” or concluded incompletely but I think , the film would like to leave to the viewers the real essence of the entire film. I personally think that the story’s focus wasn’t only about the filmmakers’ job in movie production but the very film vitally depicted the unending turmoil Filipino people are still obviously suffering from – poverty.

Many of our kababayans would risk even their worth, or their relatives’ worth, just to survive from their daily hand-to-mouth existence. And yes, if this problem would be remedied with a bad, immoral solution, the problem would just get nastier, more absurd, and more uncontrollable. This is certainly happening in the Philippines now. We make our predicaments even worse that it would require us a lot to escape from this seemingly dark trap that we ourselves created./This Bubbly Life

Changes I See in My Trike Rides

              So the first week of August was really a wet and damp week, huh? I mean, I went to and fro the hospital I’m volunteering in with white shoes splattered in mud and slacks stained with dirt no matter how careful I was to avoid the merciless speeding vehicles whose wheels splash groundwater as it came past me.

            Well, I must say I’m presently more tolerable towards the above situation because maybe, my system has become used to it. Ever since I was in elementary, I have been riding the tricycle that pass a bumpy, unpaved road, causing you to hit your head on its steel many times - and nothing is worst than raining hard when you get home poorly soaked from head to foot.

            Yes, although I’m clamoring about this, I still find riding these down-to-earth three-wheelers fun. I loved sitting on its roof, feeling the cool breeze that brushes through my face. However, there are times that I just wanted to sit on its either soft or rock-hard chairs just to prevent the burning heat of the sun. But since I’m a guy, I need to give way to the girls and the oldies as well.

            Like what I’ve expressed, I’m still amused by commuting in tricycles. You get to see inevitable changes unfold right in front your very eyes. Although it is a rural scenery while traveling along our place, one may notice that wide rice fields are now turning into expansive housing subdivisions. The kantos and kalyes I came familiar with in my day to day ride are giving birth to computer shops, big sari-sari stores, apparel shops, batchoyan, and refilling stations. Barangay chapels are renovated and made more beautiful for the dwellers. Small, kawayan houses turn into concrete ones. Trisikads and tricycles doubled in population, reflecting the increase of residents in our area. Companies arise such as the ice plant and the factory that dresses chicken, providing jobs to the residents.

            Nevertheless, some things remained unaltered. You still get to see a hardworking person in his trisikad who buys scraps in the neighborhood and a man vending in his bicycle a load of chicharon, hoping someone will buy. There is also a guy patiently carrying on his back a furniture which he eagerly sells from house to house.  A mother entices you to eat her freshly prepared bitso-bitso, pancakes, aripahol, and banana cue just to have something to give for her children she sends to school in the nearby public school.

            Good thing, there are still rice fields that relax your tired eyes with its green, refreshing view. I’m glad that trees giving off clean, cool air remain standing in its roots. I smiled on that one time I saw a blue bird swiftly fly past our backyard. I smiled for its existence. I adore the sight of colorful, graceful butterflies hovering on flowers that embellish the streets.

            Like what I’ve said, eversince I was a kid accompanied by my tita or mom in these tricycle rides, our road has been rough and rocky and unpaved. Now that I am commuting on my own, it is still is. I am yet uncertain of the time where residents would experience a smooth ride without having to worry about the mud spattering on their clothes. For now, I’ll continue to enjoy this bouncy and jerky journey and be mesmerized with the amazing changes occurring in the corners of the streets I have been acquainted to as time flies by.

Ice Scramble and Pizza at Sta. Barbara

         My cousin and I drove off to the main town of Sta. Barbara, Iloilo in search for food for our gurgling tummies. I bet you'll never starve strolling through the kalyes and kantos since a number of humble restaurants are just around the corner, waiting for guts to satisfy.
          By the plaza, we spotted Chico Shade, a refreshment built around a Chico tree. The walls inside were lined with bamboo and of course, you can see the Chico trunk rooted right in the middle of the space.

          We ordered bihon for about Php 60 which was already good for three starving mouths. For our drinks, we tried its popular ice scramble for Php 15 which I think to be the tastiest, milkiest, and smoothiest ice scramble my tongue has ever slurped. They also serve pansit canton, batchoy, cakes, halo-halo, and juices that came in lofty glasses.
          Chico Shade is the right haven for budget-conscious eaters who desire a satisfying meal or meryenda. No wonder many students from nearby schools get to have their delicious fill here.
          A few walks away from Chico Shade is Dogsdale, a small pizza restaurant popular to the residents in the place. Aside from the different pizza sizes that you can choose from, the pie comes in two basic types of preparation - the ones with white sauce and the once with red sauce. My cousin and I tried their Dogsdale Solo White Special for Php 40 which tasted like your perfect home-made pizza coated with delectable melted cheese and topped with pepperoni, hams, and onions. They also have various sandwiches to select from.

          After an exhausting shop in the town's grocery stores or a perspiring transaction in its government halls, people can stop by these two refreshments for a very rewarding munch.

Iimbitahan ko si Lolo Mag-Videoke

         Isang araw, dinala namin ang aming lolo sa St. Paul’s Hospital Iloilo dahil nananakit daw ang kanyang likuran at ubo siya nang ubo. Doon nalaman na may tubig daw ang kanyang baga. Nariyan daw sa 700 ml ang nakuha mula sa nagtitiis niyang baga.

          Buti  na lang at malinis, malapad, at maaliwalas ang silid na aming tinuluyan sa ospital. Mukhang bagong pintura ang mga pader nito at kumpleto naman ito sa kagamitan. Feeling ko nag-hotel lang si lolo. Buti na lang may philhealth at senior citizen card siya kaya’t menos gastos.

          Nagbantay ako buong umaga pero nang dumating na ang aking pinsan, umalis din naman ako para makipagkita sa mga kaibigang sina Ciong at Jo sa Atrium Mall. Dumiretso na lang kami sa SM City para magkwentuhan at mag-bonding upang hindi naman masayang ang madalang naming pagkikita. Kasama rin nila si Lynn na ngayon ko lang mismo nakilala.

          Ang plano namin noong araw na iyon ay mag-videoke kaya’t pumunta kami sa Quantum. Kaya lang maraming mga estudyante at iba pang mga kustomer na pumupuno ng mga videoke rooms kaya’t habang wala pang bakante ay inabala na lang namin ang mga sarili sa mga laro gaya ng basketbol, karera ng sasakyan, hockey, at baril-barilan kung saan parang titirahin mo yung maliliit na aliens na lumilipad. Hindi namin namalayan, marami na palang nakatapos magkaraoke at naunahan na kami ng ibang mga kustomer.

   

   Dumiretso na lang kami sa Bibo pero puno rin. Nagulat lang kami kung ba’t ang daming tao ang nakalibot sa entabladong nakatayo malapit saToy Kingdom . Dumating pala ang mahusay na mang-aawit na si Sarah Geronimo. Simple lang ang kanyang kagandahan at hindi nakakasawa. Parang hindi na siya kumanta at nag-plug lang ng konsyerto niya na gaganapin sa Central Philippine University sa susunod na araw.

           Bago namin makalimutan ang plano namin sa araw na iyon, bumalik kami sa Bibo at nagbabasakaling may bakanteng silid para sa karaoke. Salamat sa Diyos at mayroon nga! Sabik talaga kaming kumanta at the top of our lungs. Kahit hindi abot ang mga nota ay hataw pa rin kami sa pagbirit. Ang finale song namin ay ang “Survivor” ng Destiny’s Child. Ang saya saya lang!

       
         Anong aral ang natutunan ko sa araw na ito? Kung may gusto kang isang bagay na nais mong makamtan, babalik-balikan mo ito bitbit ang pag-asa na may ilalaan para sa iyo. Gaya ng kwento ko, plano talaga namin ang mag-sing-along. Hindi namin natupad ito kapag nawalan kami ng pag-asa na makakanta dahil puno lagi ang mga silid para sa videoke. Kung huminto kami sa paghintay o sa paghanap ng maaaring pagkantahan, eh di siguro nag-malling na lang kami at tumingin-tingin lang sa mga mamahaling mga bagay sa mga pamilihan, hindi ba? Inaasahan din na mahaba ang iyong pasensya habang unti-unti mong inaabot ang iyong mga ninanais. Sa pagbalik ko sa ospital, kinakailangan ko talaga ang asal na ito kasi magiging abala ako sa pagbili ng mga gamot at pagbayad ng mga bayarin. Kapag lumabas na si lolo sa ospital, iimbitahan ko talaga siyang mag-videoke.
          Kaya’t huwag mawalan ng pag-asa at habaan pa ang pasensya. Kung gugustuhin, may mararating.

"That's What I Am" is an Inspiring, Eye-opener Film

          The coming of age movie, "That's What I Am", offers us a lot of life lessons from which not only teenagers can learn from but also can be an eye-opener to adult viewers. Directed by Michael Pavone, this film talks about acceptance, courage, and believing in oneself amidst the judgmental society that is encompassing us nowadays.
          I can say that yes, it's the same old story where nerds and geeks are labeled losers and by joining their clique, you become a loser yourself. However, typical as the scenario may seem, the film adds some maturity by introducing characters to complement the adolescents' naive behaviors. There's Mr. Simon (Ed Harris), a brilliant teacher who passionately shares his wisdom to his students not only on subject matters but on life values as well. The main character and the narrator of the film, 12-year-old Andy Nichol (Chase Ellison), also struggled with an obssessive-compulsive father who teaches him how to do things specifically such as the proper way of mowing grass or putting glue on his broken airplane toy. Other parents in the story also try to get involved in their children's endeavors.

         One of the unforgettable cast in the movie is Stanley aka Big G (Alexander Walters) who is the tallest guy in the campus sporting a thick orange hair and ears too big for his head. Due to his looks, he is being ridiculed and bullied by the other students in school. Despite this, he keeps his cool and stays dignified, not stepping down to the level of his criticizers as much as possible.
          It is when Mr. Simon partnered Andy with Big G that the former realized that there is more to this big guy than what meets the eye. At first, Andy was hesitant to work with Big G because he might also be teased by the arrogant kids in their school but he accepted the responsibility and became became friends with him eventually. Big G believed in himself that he even did an acapella during the school's talent show. His bestfriend wouldn't allow him to sing at first because he may be shouted and screamed at but Big G didn't succumb to any discouragement. During his performance, everyone was amazed by his voice even his fearful bestfriend. Big G showed how we must not give others the right to put us down or ruin our self-esteem. You should watch out for the kid who played the drums magnificently.The movie suggests us that if you believe in your heart that you can be a singer then tell yourself, "I am a singer. That's what I am!". If you believe you can be a writer like Andy, then strongly say, "I am a writer. That's what I am!".

          This true-to-life based movie also also reflects our fast-changing society. If there are bullies in school, we also have criminals, corrupt government officials, drug syndicates, and terrorists that continue to create war that endangers many innocent lives. However, we also have dreamers in campus who reflect those people in the society who unstoppably reach for their goals in life and become positive models to so many individuals. I really like how Mr. Simon defined peace in a contest that made him won a car. As the students eagerly paid attention to him, he wrote in the blackboard this equation: Human Dignity  + Compassion = Peace.
         Watch out for the cool outfits of the characters since the plot is set in the 80's where televisions still register black and white images. I admit that the actors' clothes are coming back in today's fashion scene.
          This film is an official selection to the Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2011.

Welcome to the Rileys: Simple Yet Captivating

          There is something about simple movies that amazes me. Yes, they don't possess killing camera effects or remarkable background sounds yet its honesty and genuineness make these movies worth watching. This is true to the film, Welcome to the Rileys, which is directed by Jake Scott and stars the twilight chic Kirsten Stewart (Mallory).
          Together with Stewart is Golden Globe winner James Gandolfini (Doug Riley), a man in 40's or 50's whose daughter died in a car accident causing him to lead a life of quiet desperation. His change of attitude much affected her wife, played by Melissa Leo, to whom he hardly give loving attention since the tragedy. Together, the couple began to reconcile their personal feelings and biases toward each other as they encountered Mallory, a teenage angry runaway living a dangerous life as a stripper. Their newfound relationship with the young girl, whom Doug Riley treated as some kind of replacement to her daughter, paved the way for the stripper to change her promiscuous ways and start anew such as quitting smoking and continuing school.

          So what if the film doesn't incorporate noticeable music in most of the scenes. The truthful emotions of each of the character were evident enough to compensate such aspect. Plus, the significant lines of the actors were something you should lend some ears to because they certainly depict life's realities. The candid scenes would boldly speak about the characters' behavior and their sincere views regarding their situation.
          Obviously, one will discover a different side of Kirsten in this film. She showcased her fierce and wild side as a girl who pays her apartment by trading her body and soul to those men seeking sexual satisfaction. Her parents died in a crash too and therefore, grew up with no real guardians to protect and raise her well. However, when these couple, who had not fully recovered in their loss, met Mallory, they tried to offer the care, support, and love to her- thing that they could have given more to their real daughter if she were still alive.

           But Kirsten's role knew best. She knew she couldn't be that child even if the earth turned upside down. Yes, she truly loved the brand new underwear given to her by the couple when she started to feel pain urinating as well as the allowance given to her by Doug, but it came to a point that she realized she must live the life she wanted and not become someone else she's not. The decision of Mallory to run apart from the couple became the dawn of a new beginning to live their own separate lives and learn from the meaningful relationship that she and the couple formed. Doug and her wife assured Mallory that their doors are open whenever she needed somebody to run to when things get tough.
          I just simply loved this film with all its simplicity and straight-forwardness. It may not be compared to other high-end films, yet the story's ability to mirror the complications of real relationships and how the people involved search the meaning for their existence make this film perfect enough to realize that we can only find peace within ourselves if we just allow ourselves to.

Polvoron, Si Levin, at Ang Ibong Binabalanse

            Isang araw, tumambay ako sa bahay namin sa city at doon ay chumika ako sa aking pinsan na gumagawa ng matamis at nakakaganang polvoron. Binebenta niya ito ng php 1.25 kada piraso. Marami namang bumibili dahil dinadaanan ang kanyang tindahan ng mga estudyante mula sa malapit na unibersidad. Natatandaan ko pa noong bata ako, bumibili ako ng polvoron at sinisipsip ito mula sa kasama nitong maliit na straw.

           Habang patuloy na naghuhulma ang aking pinsan ng mga bilog na polvoron at binabalot ito sa cellophane, nilalaro ko naman ang kanilang alagang asong si Levin na crossbreed ng shih tzu at Japanese spinx. Napaka-cute naman siyang pagmasadan sa kanyang t-shirt at gusgusing mukha. Parang laruang doggie lang siya na madalas kong matagpuan sa mga toy stores. Tahimik niyang pinagmamasdan ang mga dumaraan na mga tao at mga pumapasadang bisikleta sa eskinita na tila naghahanap ng kalaro.

Si Levin ay naaantok.

Si Levin ay pa-shy effect.

Si Levin ay seductive.

Si Levin ay dedma sa akin.

           Tapos, dahil hindi pa kami close ni Levin kasi parang kumakahol pa siya sa akin sa tuwing nasisilayan niya ako, pumunta na lang ako sa kwarto at pinaglaruan ang parang porselanang ibong naka-display sa shelf. Wala lang, nasasayahan lang akong ilagay ang “beak” nito sa akin daliri na kahit anong gawing galaw ng aking kamay ay hindi pa rin ito nalalaglag.

Ang buhay ay dapat balanse lang.

           Tulad ng ibon na ito, kailangan din natin ng balanse sa buhay- may panahon para sa pagtatrabaho (gaya ng pagtitinda ng polvoron )at may oras din para sa mga kasiyahan sa pang-araw-araw (gaya ng paglalaro kasama ng pet dog mo). Gaya nga ng sabi nila, nakakasama rin ang sobra. Kapag trabaho ka nang trabaho, maaaring magkakasakit ka dahil sa pagod at magtatampo rin ang mga kamag-anak mo dahil parang nawawalan ka na ng oras sa kanila. Kapag sobra naman ang kasiyahan, maaaring makakaligtaan mo rin ang mga importanteng mga responsibilidad sa iyong buhay.

           Sa araw na ito, natutunan ko ang kahalagahan ng “balance” para nang sa ganoon, sakto lang ang enerhiyang ginugugol natin sa lahat ng aspeto ng buhay— mapa-pag-ibig, mapa -pinansyal, o mapa-pamilya man ito.