Tuesday, November 20, 2012

MUNCHSTER BITES: Hainanese Delights

A delightful anniversary date!

Times have been tough for Bee and I. In layman’s term, we’re broke. But this didn't stop us from having a simple date for our anniversary. Bee insisted on dinning at Almon Marina, which I wanted to try ever since but upon checking the prices I suggested that we just dine somewhere else.

We decided to try out a newly opened restaurant named Hainanese Delights. We often pass by this restaurant every time we stroll around Megamall. Their P120 unlimited rice promo is a great deal! It’s affordable, the place is decent for conversations and we can have a sumptuous meal within our means.  


I ordered their signature Hainan Fried Chicken while Bee had Porky Chop. I loved the chicken; it had that crisp and salty taste smothered with yummy sauce. Bee loved it too. He’s Porky Chop tasted okay, but it’s the usual grilled liempo you can order elsewhere plus it was thinly sliced, a bit disappointing :/


I’m so thankful that we lasted 5 years together. We're far from perfect but I’d rather be in an imperfect relationship with someone who accepts all my flaws and still loves me anyway. We are not sure about the future. I don’t know if we’ll end up together but I surely want it to be him. I pray every night that God would allow me to keep him. 

August 12, 2012 - 5th year Anniversary :D 



Visit Hainanese Delights at 
G/F SM Megamall Bldg. A (right in front of Chatime) Dona Julia Vargas Ave. Wack Wack Mandaluyong Philippines

Total food cost: P120 (Hainan Fried Chicken w/unli rice) + P120 (Porky Chop w/unli rice) = P240.00

Bite Cost: P120/meal
Munch Worthy: Yes. Very affordable. Unlimited rice meals are now priced P130.00 
Walker repeat: Yes. Quality Hainan Chicken and rice :D 

Saturday, November 17, 2012

THRIFT DATE: Revisiting Manila

We took advantage of the long weekend and went to explore a little bit of Manila. I thought of bringing Bee to the National Museum, Intramuros and Fort Santiago. These are popular field trip sites for grade school students. Surprisingly, Bee has never been to any of them. He spent his elementary education in Baguio and transferred for his secondary education here in Manila. 




First stop: National Museum 
Entrance fee is FREE during SUNDAYS. The NM recently celebrated Museum and Galleries month and offered FREE ADMISSION for the whole month of October :D 

One of the must see paintings in the NM is Juan Luna's award-winning
Spoliarium.160in x280in in size, oil on poplar, circa 1884. 


As per Wikipedia
Juan Luna spent eight months to finish this award winning masterpiece on a greatly huge canvas depicting dying gladiators. (Leon Ma. Guerrero, "The First Filipino" 2007) Ambeth Ocampo wrote, "...the fact remains that when Luna and Felix Resurrection Hidalgo won the top awards in the Madrid Exposition of 1884, they proved to the world that indios could, despite their supposed barbarian race, paint better than the Spaniards who colonized them." (Ambeth R. Ocampo, "Rizal Without the Overcoat" 2000)

Here are other photos we took in our visit: 
First Floor: Consisted of multiple galleries that feature oil based paintings, sculptures (wood,cement,plaster,terracotta), sketches etc. 




3RD FLOOR Houses scientific art, woven clothes and the former Session Hall.  

 


SCIENTIFIC ART I don't know if they use this term; forgot to take note of the gallery name



Second Stop: Silahis Shop 
All Filipino made, plus there's a bookstore on the third floor that caters to Filipino writers. 
<no photos inside>
Third Stop: San Sebastian Church
We just passed by it on our way to Manila Cathedral. There was a wedding taking place and we only got a peek of the inside. <no photos here>

Fourth Stop: Manila Cathedral
The church is currently under renovation so visitors were not allowed to enter. We just took a picture outside. 


Fifth Stop: Fort Santiago
The entrance fee of P75.00 is a rip-off. I would gladly pay more if the place was well maintained. You'll find yourself asking, where does the money go? Isn't it to be used to restore the place to its original beauty? Even Dr. Rizal's statue is missing, plus the missing foot steps. It was raining when we toured the place but that didn't hinder us from having a great time. We had petty arguments but we shrugged it off quickly and won't let it ruin our day. 

 
Last Stop: Dapitan

We were supposed to have our early dinner at Steak 101 but unfortunately the place closed down. We decided to walk back and eat at Ed's Food Station at UST Dapitan. I was really disappointed at first cause I really wanted to eat steak but after trying the Spicy Adobo sa Gata, I didn't say another word. I was too busy savoring the taste of my meal. YUM! It was a great meal for P50. Another bonus is, we got home in time to catch the last Sunday mass. :D

Bite Cost: P50/meal
Munch Worthy: Yes. Sulit! You can request for sauce refill
Walker repeat: Definitely

For MORE PHOTOS please like my facebook page HAPPY ZOMBII and click on the Revisiting Manila album. 

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Guilty as charged: IZUMI SAKE BAR

Hey Guys! 


Yes, as the title says, I''m guilty as charged. I encouraged Vodka and Tequila to stay together even though they've been bound to stay apart. I've committed a grave crime and have been punished by preggy symptoms - numbness, vomiting, tantrums, dizziness, hallucination and finally I black out. Disclaimer: I am not pregnant and never will be unless I'm married :D

I'm not really into clubs or night outs but this kind of scene was introduced to me recently by the party people in our group. My most recent night was at Craft where we celebrated Halloween, no alcohol overload here. I just sipped a bit of red horse mixed with red bull and that's it. Well, Izumi is a different story. 

Saturday, November 10 we met at Ian's place to have dinner. Talk about food heaven! Angel hair tuna pasta, crunchy fish fillet, my favorite nachos and Adrian Miguel's signature pastries. It was a piggy feast for me and Bee. All that cardio and forced dieting down the drain. But it'll be more heart breaking  if I didn't munch on these treats. Bee started his non-stop eating phase that night- such a piggy :D We were supposed to watch Initial D or a movie before heading out but due to technical difficulties and limited time we were not able to do this. 
Heading out (in front of Ian's house). Photo by Peter Lee
We arrived at Burgos Circle around 10:00 pm, we had a little trouble parking though. Pete reserved a table for us. P5,000/table consumable. Quite expensive right?  But I guess it's reasonable for a group of 8 people. 


Our poison for the night: Sky Vodka & Jose Cuervo Tequila Shots
Pete (the birthday boy) ordered 2 bottles of Sky Vodka because of the Buy 1 Take 1 promo. Mix it up with Sprite and you're off to a good start- or so I thought. We stared drinking while waiting for his friend. Bee wasn't sitting beside me so I had no police marshal stopping me from continuously devouring this magical drink. Just like the name, Sky Vodka, you'd literally feel like flying and wait a little bit more and you'd be experiencing sky fall. Another friend of mine Cuervo (Tequila), made its way to my system and fueled me to party. 

Deep fried cheese & nori gyoza (our food that night)
I was dancing like a fool all night. But our friend Duo was more wasted. He vomited on his shirt and on the couch. All other things are bound to secrecy, nothing serious really just clean fun :D I also slept on the street that night, right in front of Izumi and Rue Bourbon. I felt the world crashing down on me as Bee tells me the story of my inner party girl letting loose that night. Don't blame me for having fun right? YOLO! 

I want to thank the Axe Gang and Tats for taking care of me that night. Next time, put all the magical drinks far from me as possible and have my marshal (Bee) sit right beside me.


Izumi is a great place to chill out with friends, although a little cramped. But I guess the purpose is to mingle with other party goers. Its nice that they have someone taking pictures and posts it on their facebook page : IZUMI SAKE BAR


I highly encourage you guys to drink responsibly. Obviously I'm not your role model here but still, use me as an example why you should only drink like a lady not a barbarian. :D

IZUMI Sake Bar and Restaurant is located at 29th St. cor. Rizal Drive Forbes Town Center Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Food Menu: What's cooking at IZUMI
Drinks Menu: What's on the BAR

Bite Cost: P500/person 
Munch worthy: Cheese gyoza is a winner for me
Walker repeat: Not really, unless there's an event 

Friday, November 2, 2012

happy EVENTS: Halloween Night

WHO'S THE REAL DEVIL?
Marshall and Lilly accdg. to Fabi
Photo credits: Ian Sta. Maria
Halloween: night of the slutty pumpkins and werewolves in disguise looking for their next prey. Everyone can be whoever they want to be, add the magic potion we call "alcohol" and you're all set! 

Halloween Night (Oct. 31) with some of the AXE Gang members and first party hang-out with Tats at Craft Rock and Grill
Photo credits: Tats Dela Cruz
Awesome band, TRINIDAD

GMAN rocked the stage with his version of Huling El Bimbo by Eraserheads. Listen carefully and you'll mostly hear Bee's voice :D Fan girl mode here haha

After CRAFT we had a light snack at Mcdonalds and headed off to distillery. We were supposed to watch Tat's friend spin but there was only 15 mins. left til' the place closes so we decided to just go home. 

All of us had a fun night and I sure have added a lot to my party memory bank :D 

Perks: Free Heineken Beer for those in costume.

Most Wasted Award goes to (drumroll) - Tats :D