Weird Stuff

          There are many weird things that I did this week. I don't know why I did those things. Maybe, they were just results of burning creative desires starting to flame like an active volcano.
          First, my little cousin and I cooked pancakes that turned out to be like "tikoy" (a Chinese delicacy) because we didn't include baking soda to the flour and egg (or am i correct with this recipe?). The pancakes turned out to be so shiny and sticky and as far as I'm concerned, they should be dry and fluffy.
          Second, My brother and I perspired to the hip-hop abs instructional video that my sister downloaded. My lola thought we were jerks as we danced like hyperactive chickens in our sala. My sister even filmed us with the digital camera and we all laughed as we played it because we saw how awkward we did the steps.
          Third, I would spend half of the day exhausting my vocal chords on the karaoke songs in my laptop. I just love I'm Yours by Jason Mraz and Heaven by Bryan Adams. I just hope my neighbors were not irritated with my crazy singing.
           Lastly, I was proud of myself for cleaning my room after how many decades (Of course, I'm exaggerating!) but yes, sometimes it's weird of me to fix my pad (pad talaga?). At least, it's starting to sink in me that to have a clear, peaceful mind, I should also learn to organize my room and that goes with our environment too. We have to take care of our surroundings so that we, the people benefiting from it, will benefit more.
            Weird is cool!

A Treat at Short Stop Bakery and Fastfood

            If you haven’t gone in this place, then you might be missing the full blast of your eating experience in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo. This restaurant, popular to almost every resident of the town, is your quick stop to a fulfilling meal for your rumbling tummies. No wonder, the resto’s name – Short Stop Bakery and Fastfood, fittingly speak for itelf.

            The simple pang-masa refreshment is strategically located right in a corner where jeepneys and tricycles stop over to get or send off passengers. As a result, many recharge their hungry systems in this very accessible food stop. The place is spacious enough to accommodate customers. When meal time comes,  the venue gets a bit rowdy as diners rush to order their share of delicious pinoy dishes.

            As a celebration for my little cousin’s graduation, we treated her in the said familiar eatery.She just ordered a cheeseburger and a mais con yelo, both of which she tastefully loved. My sister had a similar order as my cousin. They may not be that hungry because during the graduation ceremony, they had been munching on waffles and nuts  and slurping on cheap shakes that were all sold by the food carts present in the occasion.

            Meanwhile, the rest of us ordered La Paz batchoy which easily got me full, a plastic of medium-sized pandesal bought from its bread shop, and bottles of softdrinks to quench our thirst. We dined at the separate airconditioned room.

            They also sell Pansit Lomi which I think is one of its must-tries. For 95 Php, it’s already good for you and your barkada.

            Short Stop has already been a household name in the town when it comes to food tripping. One thing’s for sure, it has served its residents the affordable meal that their bubbling stomachs deserve.

Summer Fun at Fleur De Liz Swimming Pool

          Who says living in the relaxed town of Sta. Barbara, Iloilo would deprive you with the thrill of swimming this summer?
          Fleur de Liz Complex, located at the heart of the municipality, does not only comprise of karinderyas, boutiques, and internet stations but it also has a swimming pool that will surely cool you up this hot season.
          My younger sister celebrated her birthday here and we completely had a blast. Its rectangular pool is large enough for swimmers to have a fun splash and to do as many laps as they want. It also has a circular kiddie pool wherein my cousins and I played "ura ura kamansi (pool version)". The "it" chases us but is only allowed to move along the edges of the pool and at the assumed line that crosses at the middle.
          A videoke machine is also ready to use for those chilling by the tables so those who do not feel like swimming may just enjoy singing their hearts out.
          Swimming fee costs 50 Php, same as the price when you like to get a table for you and your company.

         

Chillin' at Shake Hauz

           Summer is starting to steam the air, and what better way to cool our condensing bodies than a glass of sweet-tasting, creamy shake. Surely, I want one that is pretty chilled.

            Shake Hauz, located at the main town of Sta. Barbara Iloilo, offers its residents and other customers with mouth-watering, palatable shakes coming in different likeable flavors: Choco Fudge, Cookies and Cream, Buko, Strawberry, Mango, etc.

            My cousins and I went here one hungry day and we were indeed satisfied with the taste. It seems like your thirst will vanish in a sec with a single sip. Their shakes looked simple yet presentable since flavored syrups were squeezed on top. These quenchers cost 20 php. Not bad  for an ordinary laid-back guy like me that strolls its town. I can even make “libre” if I have enough moolah to spend.

            Aside from the chillers, they also sell siomais (3 for 20php), hotdogs, spaghetti, fried chickens, bake macaroni, and other foods perfect for meryenda. One can just stop by its cute yet airconditioned space for a quick hunger fix after a reflective day of visiting the municipality’s historic church or to take a break from the sweaty time of bargaining in its wet market.

Time to order!

The entrance.

Cookies and Cream flavored shake with a heart-shaped syrup for 20 Php only.

Strawberry Shake for 20 Php only.

Good Time at Dexter's Pizza

          Dexter has a new invention. No, it's not a new gadget. It's pizza!
          Dexter's Pizza is doing a great job in making a name for itself as one of the growing pizza houses in Iloilo City. My friends and I dined here once and we absolutely liked the pizza. Its crustiness and cheesiness will leave your tummy satisfied. Its preparation has a home-made feel in it yet the taste is close to that of leading pizza restaurants that I know.
          The price is not that painful in the pocket especially if you and your barkada will chip in individually. Yes. Totally worth the money. We ordered the "cheesy bacon burger pizza" (If I'm not mistaken with what they call it) which, as its name suggests, was oozing with melted cheese, topped with chunky bacons and an ample amount of meat. We also treated ourselves with another pizza generously sprinkled with ground beef.  My friend took home the "shawarma pizza", a best-seller I heard. The pies under the "healthy cravings" category will surely attract those who don't want their blood pressure to spike up.
          With its location at Mission Road Extension, La Paz, Iloilo City, people from the nearby schools and hospitals can easily come together to bond over their specialty that comes in different  yummy flavors. I believe they accept deliveries too (For more info, just search for their facebook page).
          My ka-berks and I completely downed the pizza as we went along with our fun conversation. Good food. Good company. And a nice laugh. What else am I looking for?

My Cactus Heart: Fight for Love

          Is fate really happening? Are some things here on Earth bound to come true no matter how hard you try to avoid them? These are the questions I ask my curious self after watching the movie, "My Cactus Heart".

          It starred Maja Salvador (Sandy), Matteo Guidicelli (Carlo), and Xian Lim (Benedict). The rom-com story revolved around Sandy, who, straight from the beginning of the movie, was the one narrating her own fairy tale to her co-workers in an animation production company in which Benedict was the head. 

          It started when Sandy, then a typical high school student,  wrote something in her artwork that one day, she may find her soul mate. In a music store, she placed her work inside the whole of a guitar, hoping that the person who would buy the instrument would find it and be her "the one".

          However, due to the plight of her parent's relationship (Her dad left the family for another woman and whenever he sporadically visits them, the ending was just a fight between her parents), she resolved not to fall in love. 

           Here came Carlo. Living a hard up life, he was a singer in a band who earned additional income by working under the catering business of Sandy's Family. As the family prepared for one event, Carlo fell head over heels towards Sandy who entered the scene with her beautiful hair gracefully blown by the wind. Eventually in the story, Sandy was feeling the same way for Carlo yet she was in denial.

           In the office she's working in, boss Benedict was courting her and just to forget about her feelings on Carlo, she entertained the former. Seeing Sandy with Benedict breaked Carlo's heart. How could he compete with this rich man when he's just a singer of an unpopular band and was not yet established in his career? Benedict knew that Sandy loved another man and so, she freed her to be with that guy. 

          Carlo was so ecstatic when he received a call that his band was accepted to perform abroad. Sandy, devastated by the feeling of always being left behind by the people she cares for, confessed to Carlo a lie: she does not love him. Eventhough it was hard for Sandy to see Carlo leave the country for his music, she eventually accepted it, believing true love can happen.  She rushed to catch Carlo in his house before he leaves. Yet he was not there. Instead, what she saw was a broken guitar and inside it was the artwork she had made when she was still in highschool. In the end,  she fought for her love for Carlo since she knew, no matter what the circumstances were, he was her soul mate.
           The movie was funny, heartfelt, and incorporated with bits of life's realities. The cinematography was artistically simple yet brilliant. The actors were good. Thanks for the additional acting prowess of Rosanna Roces and Ricky Davao. Some actors weren't really given enough exposure to showcase their abilities like JM De Guzman. Sandy's gay brother in the movie was undeniably funny but needed to be more natural. Some scenes in the latter part of the film surprised me yet it didn't really affect the main characters' situation in the end. Overall, I liked the movie.

           So, does fate really occur? I guess, yes. Yes for those people who fight for it to happen. Yes for those who have the courage to fulfill their heart's desires and prevent personal conflicts from devouring them.  Yes for those who believe in the magic of love.

Vaseline Men Antispot Whitening and Its Cool Pouch

          Every man on Earth must know that he needs a moisturizer.  Moisturizers leave your skin supple and hydrated. Who loves a dry face, anyway?
          Problem is, most moisturizers sold in stores are expensive. Good thing I've found Vaseline Men Antispot Whitening moisturizer packaged in a small pouch with an opening that can be securely locked by a small cap. It only costs Php 28 -  not a bad thing because it is loaded! One pouch will approximately last you for one to two weeks depending on the amount you apply on your face.

          I've tried it and I've noticed my face lightening up. Maybe because it takes away all the unwanted marks and spots. With its packaging, it is easy to carry in the pocket since you know it wouldn't spill out. Very much handy indeed!
          The label at the back says that you will have fairer skin in 2 weeks and visible spot reduction. Your face will also attain long-lasting oil control with this non-sticky, fast absorbing cream.

Meeting the Real Man - - Jose Rizal (A Trip to Fort Santiago, Intramuros)

          I had been to Manila when I was in high school but I just stayed there for one day just to visit my titas. I had just arrived from Laguna where I attended some school stuff. So, I didn't really enjoyed Manila much. As far as I could remember, I spent my one day saying hellos to the animals at Manila Zoo and trudging along the sidewalks of Manila Bay which was then filled with restaurants.
          But this January, I packed my bags and headed for Manila for a fun and unforgettable trip. I went to almost all the malls in the Metro. Thank God I didn't get lost. It was my first time to ride the LRT. Yes, the city was indeed busy- honkering buses here and there, rushing people getting past each other, and raising voices of vendors in the streets. Businesses surely thrive energetically in almost every corner of the place.
          Besides going to Quiapo and Divisoria, I will really treasure my tour in Intamuros, Manila particularly in Fort Santiago. It surely brought me in touch with history. Seeing the old structures built during the Spanish occupation felt nostalgic even though you just experience them in textbooks. And yes, I've met the heroic man behind Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

These kalesas make you feel it's not 2012. These are the major transportation way back Jose Rizal's time.

I realized that the structures built by our forefathers were very much meticulous - - superior art!

Yes, I'm going inside!!!

Silhouette of Jose Rizal's statue 

The stainless framed copy of Dr. Jose Rizal's Mi Ultimo Adios or The Last Farewell

Fort Santiago is filled with lush green trees and of course, vintage materials like this simple yet sturdy bench I'm sitting on.

I guess that is the Pasig River at the background.

Way way back, the cages of the captives were built underground.

Pogi ni Jose Rizal, diba?

Cool, awesome structure.

The tour guide said these footsteps were by Rizal's as he was sent to Bagumbayan (Luneta Park)  for his execution.

Maybe this guy is one of the noble Gomburzas.

         It's a good thing that every now and then we be reminded by our history. From our past we can learn many significant lessons at the same time values that we intend to forget as time goes by. My visit to Fort Santiago opened my mind to the great hero, Jose Rizal and the many things he sacrificed just to free our country from captivity. He even died for our land. Studying his life and works through textbooks is different from actually stepping foot to the place where he was imprisoned. You can feel that he is indeed real and yes, in today's confused world full of corruption and lies, we badly need more real men like Rizal.