World Street Food Congress 2016

Started last 2013 in Singapore, the World Street Food Congress that promotes food culture, has now finally arrived here in Manila. The said event is participated by several chefs and food enthusiasts from all over the world, where they would showcase the best street food of the country they represent.

As food lover, I felt so excited to attend and catch this event. So last April 21, 2016, I went there and witnessed the latest food happenings in the Metro. :)

The World Street Food Congress held at the Bonifacio High Street Global City.

Admission is Free and Upon entering, you will find this 10 Jamboree Commandments.

As I go around, I found interestingly, deliciously-looking foods and the noticed how the foods were prepared.

How the Filipino Spicy Lechon is described :)

On top of every food stall, it shows the food's description and from which country it originated.

Some of the delish foods I found in the Jamboree :)

The only food I tried to eat was... Churros form the USA. 

How the Churros Locos started 

This Picture shows how it is done

 Churros Locos was the crowd favorite that is why i chose to have a taste of it... because that day, my teeth was not in a good condition ... too bad. :(

CHURROS :)

The huge crowd of food lovers at the event. 

This Food event is complete with a live band. 

Too bad I just got my braces on that day which didn't permit me to get to taste every food in that feast :(

The World Street Food Congress lasted from April 20-24, 2016. Hoping that in the coming years, they will get to organize this event again here in Manila. :)

Everyday is a New Beginning

 “When you’re dreaming with a broken heart, the waking up is the hardest part”

-John Meyer

Ever had that feeling when you wake up in the morning and you don’t feel like getting up? When you just feel so depressed and thought that sleeping is better than waking up, that dreams are better than reality? That moment when you had to ask yourself, “Para saan pa ba ang pagbangon ko?”

I believe we all had that moment in our lives. After a tragic incident, ending a relationship, after losing someone so dear to us, or whatever it was that made us feel so down. It is when we felt like our world collapsed and we are broken into pieces that we would thought of just sleeping the whole day and wish we don’t have to wake up anymore. But then, it won’t simply happen. As the morning comes, we would open our eyes, face the reality that what used to be there and we used to have is already gone, and go through another day of enduring that pain in our hearts until we get to sleep again. As each day  would pass by, we have to breathe and make a living. Even if we want to go back to sleep, we will get up from our bed, go to work or school, and we would continue living our everyday life, everyday routine.

Yes. It was like, there’s no life anymore. . . 

Not until we learn to let go of that hurt we have been carrying in our hearts.

After living a life full of pain for quite some time, there comes a point where we have to let it go, and detach from it. We  have to stop holding on to something that is not already there, to stop waiting for nothing and to feel unhurt. It may take some time, surely it will. Facing each day bearing such pain wouldn’t be that easy, but keep in mind that it will all heal. As they say, all wounds heal as time goes by. It may leave a scar, but that scar is there only to remind us of the lesson we learned from the experience not to dwell on our loss or grief. As the morning comes, open your eyes, wake up, get up and try to think of positive thoughts. It may be hard at first, but remember, everyday is a new beginning. Everyday is another chance for us to fight that sadness in our hearts. Everyday is another chance for us to do good, to be better and be stronger than ever. Each morning is always another fresh beginning for us to live again... To start over again. =)

Tula 06-24 Part 1

Araw araw, oras oras, aking pinipilit

Ang kalimutan ka gaya ng iyong iginigiit

Oo, totoo, lagi kong pinipilit

Upang sakali mawala ang lahat ng sakit

Minsan, madalas gusto ko sayo ay magalit

Para sa pagkakataon na iyong ipinagkait

Para sa pagbitaw mo habang ako’y nakakapit

Para sa pangako ng pagmamahal mo na hindi ko nakamit

Sadya nga yatang ang tadhana ay kay lupit

Pinadama ang saya sa piling mo na tila ay humahagupit

Kahit ang bawat panahon na kasama ka ay parang kinukupit

Ang saya na ngayon ay natapos na at hapdi ang ipinalit

Araw araw, oras oras, lagi kong pinipilit

Ang kalimutan ka gaya ng iyong iginigiit

Upang mapalitan ng tamis ang lahat ng pait

Upang maalis ang sama ng loob na aking bitbit

Gusto ko nang sayo ay magalit

Para mapalitan na ang nararamdamang sakit

Na dulot ng aking mga hinanakit

Sa paglisan mo at maiwan ako sa aking sinapit

Gabi gabi ay nakatingala sa langit

Minamasdan ang mga bituin na para bang mukha mo ay iginuhit

Kinakausap ang buwan at tinanong kung bakit

Bakit? Bakit? Bakit?

Gaya ng iyong iginigiit

Kakalimutan kitang pilit

Kahit ang lahat ng alaala mo sa puso ko’y nakadikit

Kahit pa laging kang nakikita hanggang sa mga mata’y pumikit

Gusto kong sa iyo ay magalit

Ipadama sa’yo ang ibinigay na pasakit

Ngunit ang puso ko’y iba ang inaawit

“Mahal kita” ang katagang patuloy pa ring isinasambit

Dreams: Premonition, the Subconscious and other Theories

Exactly four (4) years ago, September 17, I had a dream that I can not forget. I was standing in a very bright, all white place. Then I saw my grandfather. He held me close to him then he smiled at me. Suddenly, he turned around and walked away without saying anything. He slowly faded away and my vision was just all white and became even brighter. Then I woke up with tears in my eyes.

At that time, my grandfather was in a vegetative state due to complications because he was already suffering from stage 4 prostate cancer. Later that day, we went to the hospital to visit lolo. It was just like a regular, ordinary visiting day. We came there to see him, said "Hi", "kamusta", and even if he was unable to respond, we know he heard us. We had no idea that it was the last day that we are going to see him breathing. We went on doing our usual stuff, had dinner beside him and when we were about to go home, he had cardiac arrest. He was revived, vital signs became normal again and then we left. While we were still on the road, we were called up from the hospital because my grandfather had another arrest. So we went back. The moment we, the family, were already complete to see him, he breathed his last. My lolo left us to be with our God in heaven. Just like what happened in my dream earlier that day.

 I don't know whether that incident, my grandfather's death, is related to my dream or it was just a coincidence. Did lolo bid me goodbye in that dream? Did it suggest anything that is going to happen later that day? Was it a premonition? There are psychic studies that tells us that we can acquire information of an upcoming or future event through our dreams even before that event happens. If this is right, then maybe I had a premonition of my grandfather's death? Maybe.

Sometimes, no matter how good or bad our dream is, it would leave us wondering what that dream means. I remember during our psychology class, we were taught that our dreams is the product of what lies in our subconscious mind. According to Sigmund Freud, "dreams are the manifestations of urges and desires that we keep suppressed in the realm of our subconscious... our subconscious desires include those that we don't want to admit..." If this theory is correct, therefore, we dream of the things or events we deny in our conscious mind.

Oftentimes, there would be someone who keep appearing in our dreams. Does seeing someone in our

dreams mean he/she is someone we deny in our conscious mind? Is he or she the desire we keep in our subconscious mind? Hmm. I recall someone told me that the person we see in our dreams is the person who misses us. She said, it was according to the Reader's Digest. I went over the internet searching about this. I read somewhere that it must be true if they are soulmates. The minds of the dreamer and person in his/her dream had a connection through that dream. Wow. Could it be possible that the one we dreamed of is missing us? I hope so.

I believe that there are a lot of theories regarding dreams. And if I study dreams further, it would really be mind boggling for me.

Again, today, September 17, marks the 4th Death Anniversary of our Lolo Tony. And we, we all miss him.

Review: Ex With Benefits

Pain. It is the unpleasant feeling caused by an injury or disease. We would often use drugs, medicines, 

pain killers particularly, just to be free from pain even just for a while. That is for physical pain. How about

for the emotional pain, which is usually caused by sadness, loss or frustration? Is there any pain reliever

that can actually suppress that emotional pain we sometimes feel? Is there any drug that can at least

alleviate the pain in our hearts which we can take every four (4) hours or round the clock or as needed?

If there’s any, I’m quite sure a lot of people would flock the drugstores to avail this medicine. Well,

whether it is physical or emotional pain, we all go through it, we would all feel it. According to the movie

Ex With Benefits, pain is what makes us human. And the best way to recover from pain, is to endure it, because then and only then, can we heal.

Endure it because... Pain demands to be felt. And so I heard that line again. But this time in another film,as it

was just quoted in the latest movie offering by Star Cinema, Ex With Benefits. Starring Derek Ramsay as the most successful and renowned Dr. Adam Castrences, and Coleen Garcia as Arkishia Aragon, a Medical Representative who happens to be on top of her field. The story is about the ex lovers, Adam and

Arki, whose paths crossed after the break up that took place ten (10) years ago.

What I liked about the film

1.  The Story. It has a good take on a modern day love story which includes sex and everything. I also liked how what was supposed to be a light sexy movie turned to have a deep background story especially on Arki's life after the break up.

2. Derek Ramsay. We've seen countless Derek Ramsay movies where he would surely strip and show off his body then do love scenes. Here, I've noticed how careful he was to Coleen but still, his hotness didn't make any less. And for his acting, he is effective but still the same Derek in his previous films. 

3. Coleen Garcia. She was really pretty and sexy. I did not expect much from her since this is just her first lead role in a movie, but, she nailed it. And I guess she was a good choice. She's fresh and seems like, has more to offer in her coming films.

4. The Characters. Adam Castrences as the best doctor who has a broken heart. It just goes to show that even the people in the health and medical field are having problems with healing their own heart. Arki Aragon as the person who would do anything to get on top and anything for the ones she loves.

5. Music. There were no slow, nostalgic, mushy love songs played as background music in the movie. New.

6. Health and Medical terms. As a health care provider, I find it amusing to hear medical terms in a sexy film such as, placebo, fungi, congenital disease, tetralogy of fallot, duty, drug names, and etc.

There were flaws, i think it was the editing problems and rushed scene but definitely, the story wasn't affected at all. In addition, I loved how attraction levels were discussed during the first part of the movie. Informative. However, what I really loved the most was how the movie taught us about pain... on how pain can make or break a person and all the struggles one would through because of pain. Cry, Get drunk, be sober, endure the pain, until such time, we get healed... eventually. Ex With Benefits, a film on love, relationship, lost love, pain and healing gets, 4 out of 5 stars from me! :)

The Breakup Playlist

  

Paano ba ang magmahal?
Kailangan bang nasasaktan?

Lagi na lang di maaari

Ngunit ayaw lumisan

Super Mega Major LSS. That’s what I got after watching the latest movie offering by Star Cinema, The   Breakup Playlist. Directed by Dan Villegas (English Only, Please), written by Antoinette Jadaone (That   Thing Called Tadhana), starring Piolo Pascual as Gino and Sarah Geronimo as Trixie.

The story revolves around Gino, a musician who is about to take a risk in his career and Trixie, a law   student who later joined Gino’s band, Pencil Grip. The Breakup Playlist, although another movie that talks about falling in and out of love, reunion and second chances, is not your typical romantic-comedy film.

What I love about the movie? 

1. That scene in a record store where Gino and Trixie used cd covers to talk about their lives. I find it really cute especially when Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears were mentioned.

2. I enjoyed seeing a lot of our music icons in the film. Appearances of Jamie Rivera, Yael Yuzon, Cris     Villonco, Jet Pangan, Basti Artadi, Ebe Dancel, Teddy Corpuz and lot more, was like a musical treat for   every music lover.

3. The songs. The movie has less musical scoring probably because it has songs (performed by the lead  characters) that perfectly connects the story and the character’s situation. 

4. The Hugot lines like;

“Sana ganon kadaling makalimot, pero ang hirap pala. Lalo na pag siya yung pangarap mo..... Yung magpapasaya sayo, yung hindi ka sasaktan..... Paano mo makakalimutan yung ganoon?”

5. A matured Sarah Geronimo. Well, compared to her other previous films. Here, a less laughing and a   more serious Sarah is being presented. Something that her fans should love and appreciate.

6. Piolo Pascual. Definitely. I love how he exactly portrayed the life of a musician and how his character’s  ego developed to make the conflict of the couple’s relationship. His irresistible charm, the way he makes  pakilig, his masculinity and his very natural acting will surely blew any girl or anyone away. 

I just find or thought that that getting-back-to-each-other scene a little “corny” and rushed. However, we can never really expect a movie to really be perfectly crafted, but I enjoyed how this film depicted the reality of a couple who went through a devastating breakup and the awkwardness of having to see each other again. 

In conclusion, The Breakup Playlist, gets 4 out of 5 rating from me. :]

Starting Over Again : My Thoughts

                 Why do couples, after separating, has to meet again? Could there be another chance for them to get back together? What if wala? But what if meron?  Why? All these questions were answered after I watched Star Cinema’s Valentine movie offering, Starting Over Again.

                Starring Piolo Pascual and Toni Gonzaga, directed by Olivia Lamasan. Piolo Pascual delivered very well the character of Marco, a History professor turned Chef. Syempre, Piolo Pascual is Piolo Pascual. He exactly showed how a man who fell so deeply in love then got hurt and became devasted after being left alone by the one he loves so much. Even if there were heavy confrontation scenes, I like seeing Piolo in this kind of light romantic-comedy film. And I also like how looking at him during the movie can make one glued to him, because he is really “gwapo”. Toni Gonzaga on the other hand, played the character of Ginny, a student who was head over heels to her History professor, who eventually became an Architect. Just like in her previous films, Toni G., never fails to showcase her humor with the characters she plays. Here, I appreciate her maturity and bravery to do those kissing scenes and love scene, something I don’t usually see in most of her films. I am also impressed with her fashion in the movie. Overall, I love how good they were in making people relate to the characters they played.

                In the movie, the girl fell for the boy then the boy catches the girl. They eventually bacame a couple, then got separated. The girl left the boy. Years after, they met and saw each other again. The girl, Ginny, was hoping they could have another chance but the boy, Marco, was already with somebody else, Patty (Iza Calzado). The ex couple could have had a part 2 of their relationship but it was now complicated having a new person in the scene. If there’s already someone new, why do they have to meet again??

                The movie’s ending wasn’t the ending that I have (or maybe “we”) expected. I’ve watched several Star Cinema romantic-comedy films with that happily-ever-after ending, but this time, it didn’t end the same way. And I think it was the best thing about the movie. I love how perfectly the story was made... because in reality, some relationships doesn’t always last and have a happy ending. It ended just right.

                So again, why do ex couples have to meet again? Second chance? To rekindle the old flame? Maybe. But what if the other has already moved on with another life? What if it is already complicated and impossible to have a part 2? Why still meet? The movie answered it with “closure”. Maybe two people with an unresolved past has to meet again not because they have a one more chance, but because they simply have to put an end to what they used to have... to have a closure to all the why’s, what if’s, to all the questions and issues that are haunting ex lovers.

                Starting Over Again is not your usual romantic-comedy film. I might not have expected the ending of Marco and Ginny’s love story but I felt glad on how the movie ended with that feel-good feeling. I love how the movie has its effect on me. I mean, I felt the sadness but it definitely placed a smile on my face later on. Above all, I love how it taught me (or maybe, “us”) that not all relationships has its happy ending;  that one, after all the heartbreak, has to move on and get back up on track again... that eventually one has to start all over again... to start making his/herself whole again... :)