Category: Family

See you all later today at Kape Tasyo for the much-awaited Bloggers’ Kapihan 3.0 Event! Topic is People Power 2. There’s gonna be unlimited coffee and Wi-Fi access for free! Kitakits!

Bloggers’ Kapihan 3.0
Jan. 19, 2008, Saturday 2:00-5:00 pm
Kape Tasyo (Freedom Bar)
2/F Anonas Commercial Complex
#3 Anonas St., Project 3, Quezon City

Note: Instant after-event party. Kape Tasyo becomes Freedom Bar in the evening.

Taking a break from the string of posts about the TriNoma Food Tour…

Here’s an entry dedicated to commemorate People Power 2, in support of the Blog Action Week spearheaded by Bloggers’ Kapihan.

I was a freshman student at Quezon City Science High School (map) back then. I wasn’t politically inclined (stop grinning, I wasn’t as obsessed in politics when I was a youngster as you think I was!), but I did like to watch the news and make side comments about the politicians. I mean, who didn’t? Politics was so much of a grand circus that I had come to like it enough to talk about it!

No one in my family remembers the things that happened the night we went to EDSA to participate in the uprising. Whenever I ask my mom, who, by the way, used to be a militant herself during her college days, she’d tell me she’s forgotten the date. My dad probably has no recollection whatsoever of what transpired that fateful night.

As for me, I have nothing but flashes of scenes. Seven scenes for the seven years since then.

1. Scene One: Me dressing in black. Mom reminding me that I should leave my mobile phone behind.
2. Scene Two: Us deciding that it’d be faster and safer if we took a bus to get to Ortigas.
3. Scene Three: Us being sandwiched in the huge crowd. Me holding my mom’s hand tightly, afraid that I’d get lost.
4. Scene Four: Some celebrities babbling on stage (thinking back, I wonder if they knew what they were there for better than I did).
5. Scene Five: Us walking beside an ABS-CBN news van and looking at the reporter.
6. Scene Six: Getting a couple of Commando matchboxes being given away somewhere.
7. Scene Seven: Gary Valenciano singing and dancing. Us agreeing that he had to have no bones to dance like that.

I forgot how we even managed to get home safely. It was a week night, that much I remember. Maybe it was on the 17th, or maybe it was on the 18th. I — we remember nothing — absolutely nothing — except, perhaps, what we went there for. The glory. Or, well, you can call it anything you want. I could’ve gone there again, but even if I wanted to, I didn’t know how.

Some people may call it the cycle of mob rule. That EDSA Dos is merely a political tool. Sure, there’s some truth to those claims. I mean, look at us now! But, I beg to differ about the “same supporters” of Arroyo during EDSA Dos being the ones who want her to step down now. No, it doesn’t work that way. As long as someone takes advantage of his or her post, someone who has probably the worst human rights record to boot, these same people will fight.

I, for one, never wanted Arroyo to be the president. But hey, she was next on the hierarchy. It’s not like I was even allowed to vote, okay? The Supreme Court legitimized everything with a vow. Was I ever given a choice? Nope! But then, I wouldn’t have recommended any replacements either, so you got me there. It just turned out that the “next best thing” was Gloria. Too bad for the country, really. If only we had any way of knowing that it would all come to this….

So where are we now?

Reflection, my dear Watson, not anger, is the answer.

In all honesty, I’m done with revolutions — for now. It’s all too soon. It’s all too repetitive. What I want is some progress. Some real change. A change that doesn’t come with changing the president of the Philippines. Yes, I certainly don’t want Arroyo to remain in power. But frankly, you can’t make the Philippines a progressive country if all its people have all the excuses in the world to disagree. Progress won’t work if the Filipinos don’t even respect the other people living in the country, may them be from the north or the south. Change won’t take place if the Filipinos don’t even know how to discipline themselves. No matter how many times we try to oust the head of the state, if the people themselves are the same can of worms and the same bunch of rotten tomatoes, we’d get absolutely nowhere.

A few small steps can come a very long way, my dear Filipinos. What we need is more than a change in the system; what we need is a change in ourselves, in our own system.

The floor where the Blue group got to dine in the most number of restaurants.

Bubba Gump

I’ve never been to any Bubba Gump restaurant before. I’ve heard about it only last year, when Ganns won gift certificates during the Blog Parteeh ‘07 last year. Never have I thought that it’s actually based on one of the most famous movies of all time: Forrest Gump. And as it turns out, it’s the first themed restaurant inspired by a film. Bubba Gump’s main specialties are shrimps “cooked in various ways and with a lot of fun.” They can be served in portions too, just in case someone wants to take things easy.

Bubba Gump TriNoma’s restaurant staff were very friendly and approachable. We were directed to the activity room where their excellent foods were. The Ping Pong Shrimp with the mango pineapple salsa, and the pasta (I’m not sure, but it might have been the Penne Pasta with Shrimp & Scallops) were very tasty (I helped myself to a second serving, in fact, hehe). Their Speckled Lemonade was absolutely refreshing. The crew talked with us about the food and answered all our questions. They were all smiles, I actually felt somewhat guilty I wasn’t paying for their good service. But then, I was too busy eating to worry about it. So, if they wanted positive reviews, they certainly deserved them.

And can it be true? A Sparklin’ Apple Cobbler, compliments of Bubba Gump, on my next visit? Certainly superb!

Bubba Gump
4th Level Park, TriNoma
Telephone: (02) 916 9314, (02) 916 7319
Telefax: (02) 916 9315
Website: http://www.bubbagump.com.ph/
Email: customer@bubbagump.com.ph

T.G.I. Friday’s

I’ve eaten in a Friday’s only twice before, once with my oldest maternal cousin in Robinsons Place Manila way back in 2002, and once with my whole maternal family in Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall on Christmas 2005. The 2nd one was outrageous; we spent more than P10,000 for the darn food.

Anyway, nothing exceptional happened here. Nothing…remarkable. Actually, I seemed to have forgotten I even went here until I thought hard why I was carrying around their press kit. I wish I could say something either good or bad, but I simply forgot this restaurant stop. Tangy Buffalo Wings and Crispy Chicken Fingers were…*silence* And no, the staff weren’t much friendly and accommodating either, or I’d have remembered it. One apt word to describe the experience: disappointing!

T.G.I. Friday’s
4th Level Park, TriNoma
Website: http://www.fridays.com.ph/

Italianni’s Restaurant

I’ve never ever been to Italianni’s before. My mom has though, and tells me she liked the experience and the food. And stopping by this place, I certainly had to agree with her. The staff were, at the very least, very accommodating. The food wasn’t all that bad either. In fact, it was fantastic! The Penne Arrabiato pasta was okay-tasting, but the Spinach & Artichoke Formaggio was absolutely heavenly. Rid my body and mind of their shyness and I’d lick the formaggio plate clean.

Italianni’s Restaurant
4th Level Park, TriNoma
Telephone: (02) 915 3589, (02) 915 3582
Website: http://www.italiannis.com.ph/
Email: italtrinoma@bistro.com.ph

Cyma Estiatorio

I never found anything much about Cyma Greek Tavern, only that it was the only one that actually served us a full meal. I had to be honest that I felt absolutely awkward when I entered the place. I felt intimidated by the classy yet crisp ambiance. The staff were courteous enough. I didn’t know how they called the dish they served us since they didn’t actually talk with us that much. Loved the food though I must admit that everything was new to me and my poor taste buds.

Cyma Estiatorio
4th Level Park, TriNoma
Telephone: (02) 915 2859

** Pictures from Alvin (Bubba Gump), Karen (T.G.I. Friday’s & Italianni’s Restaurant), and Neil (Cyma Estiatorio).

Second in the series of post I’ve done for the TriNoma Blogger Food Tour last January 9.

The Madison Grill

First stop was The Madison Grill, a classy and simply elegant restaurant somewhere in the 3rd level of the mall. At first we thought that they were incredibly prepared; they closed the whole place just for us. Turned out they didn’t have any food to offer. Sorry to be blunt, but pigging out was the idea behind the food tour, so it was disappointing that we stayed in the place for, well, practically nothing. But what the restaurant lacked in free food, it made up for in the concept behind it. The chef gave us a tour of the restaurant, introduced us to their menu, gave us a run-down on how the place runs.

Madison Grill offers a wide range of grilled products (duh) and steaks, and a do-it-yourself pizza station which I would have wanted to try. Ingredients are guaranteed fresh and are for show in front of a big oven within the dining area. The restaurant is relatively a new one, having been just opened some time November last year.

Madison Grill
3rd Level Park, TriNoma
Telephone: (02) 934 1572

Abé Restaurant

This is supposed to be the place where good friends dine. The restaurant is a homage to Emilio Aguilar Cruz, father of Larry J. Cruz of LJC Restaurant Group. From Serendra to TriNoma, Abé’s menu consists of Abé Cruz’ favorite local and international dishes duiring his lifetime. From his hometown Pampanga, Bicol, Ilocos, and his “discoveries” from his travels outside the country.

Food was superb. I especially liked the Rellenong Mais, a recipe of writer Thelma San Juan’s mother. Lumpiang pica-pica of Gilda Cordero Fernando, and a dish of binagoongan were also served (if I’m not mistaken).

Service was okay. Crews welcomed us with quite shy smiles and gave us glasses of water. A selection of foods were on display. A good experience all in all. Or maybe I’m just too easy to please.

Abé Restaurant is open from eleven ack emma to midnight.

Abé Restaurant
3rd Level Park, TriNoma
Telephone: (02) 901 5691-92

** Pictures come from Neil (The Madison Grill) and JM (Abé Restaurant)

Well, it took me long enough to finally decide that I just had to write something about the gruesomely awesome experience I had during the TriNoma Blogger Food Tour. Most likely I wouldn’t be able to remember anything by the end of the week, so allow me to start with bits and pieces for now.

Group messaging is overrated, but I thought I had to do it so I wouldn’t look like a stupid babysitter on my own. Better to look like a fool with other fools than look like a fool by myself. A response from Moses made me decide that it was safe for Robby (aka my pain-in-the-ass 11-year-old brother) and I to go to TriNoma. Jhed, Rens, and Reyn were already there. Of course, I had to let my Multiply fiancé (Rens) sweet talk me into buying a couple of pins he was selling. I chose the innarnetz celebrity thingie for myself, and a large letter O for my dickhead of a brother…just for the heck of it, really. I mean, sure, I figured I was too tactless in using such vulgar and scandalous words in company of guys, but I wasn’t in the mood for vagueness. Besides, I had nothing left to hide; they’d already seen me drunk as a skunk before during my 20th birthday boozefest. Anyway, I wasn’t feeling entirely up for anything, but I skipped lunch all the same to make sure my already big stomach would be ready enough for the gastronomic feasting ahead.

All the while I was berating myself for having both of my family’s digital cameras busted. My lovely Ericsson was MIA, I loathed the phone I was using (Nokia 6600), and my brother’s phones were way better than mine. But then, he always had the better mobile phones so I was kinda used to it already. At least I had someone to boss around.

Everyone decided to wait for LA before hitting the scene, but it turned out the hindot was already upstairs, sipping on a Fuzion cold drink. My brother and I registered for the event while the guys talked, and we were lucky enough to be in the same group: blue. Those who were put in different groups were allowed to request for a transfer, so basically, we all stuck together.

The loot bag was teh awesomeness! A goodie bag full of Hershey’s chocolates, a we-thought-it-was-a-planner-but-really-a TriNoma notebook, a white baller, a back issue of Yummy magazine, and a free TriNoma Cinema pass till the end of the month.

The cinema pass was a cause of amusing discussion. Since I couldn’t post a photo even if my life depended on it, let me demonstrate it in HTML:

Ayala Cinemas
Admit One / Two

Now imagine that the deleted word is “highlighted” by a blue pentel pen, it reasonably readable and demanding attention, what would you think? Is the word highlighted, or is it deleted? Does the ticket admit one person, or does it admit two people? See, semantics really does make life a bit interesting.

The program started late, but food was served buffet-style and there were lots of people so no one was bored enough to throw a fit (with the possible exception of my brother, who made an escape to Timezone). There were some talks, and a video was shown about TriNoma and what it’s all about.

I never really did figure out how TriNoma was supposed to be a triangle in the Northern part of Metro Manila until I watched the video. Blueprints and floor plans were shown. And the actors were pretty…awful. Seriously. Ako nahihiya para sa kanila.

We were introduced to each group’s “team leaders.” Everyone was getting excited to start eating. Probably some even skipped the day before’s meals as preparation for the food tour.

And then the party started…