My Mom's Birthday

                Since I’ve been quite busy and preoccupied from work, I find that I haven’t updated this blog as much as I should. I believe there’s a lot I just got to share and to start it off, let me narrate what we did during my mom’s birthday .. 

                Last March 4, we celebrated my mother’s, uhm, nth birthday. ;P Of course, we only had a very simple dinner at Banana Leaf where almost everything tasted so good.

                One of their bestsellers is their Chicken Curry; they had it in sizzling or baked. I had mine baked and although it has lots of potato, which I’m not really fond of, I still find the whole thing delicious.

Baked Chicken Curry

 

Sizzling Chicken Curry

                Also one of their bestsellers is their version of the spicy noodles, Phad Thai. I love how its spicy taste only enhanced my appetite!

Phad Thai

 

                They have a lot of delectable foods to offer on their menu that were all Asian inspired including, Creamy tilapia, other types of noodles, fried chicken and different sizzling variants.

That's the Creamy tilapia on the center

                By the way, they prefer using banana leaf instead of plates. And in addition, I also love their Milk tea. :)

                After having our dinner, I decided to treat my mom for a massage. And syempre, join forces ang buong pamilya! :)

My locker number :)

 

                A sumptuous dinner and relaxation at the spa, oh, what a good life! Surely, without even asking, everybody enjoyed my mom’s birthday celebration – because I did! :)

 

This Means War

 

            Since I’ve been hearing positive feedbacks about the movie This Means War, I made sure to catch it on cinema.

 

            The movie is about CIA’s two top agents who are actually the best of friends and a woman who is trying to get over her ex-boyfriend’s engagement. So what happens if these two inseparable guys battle against that one girl?

            The British Tuck, played by Tom Hardy, is in search of finding a new love and signed up in an online dating network. There, he met and soon dated Lauren Scott. 

             Chris Pine as FDR, helped his best friend Tuck and served as a backup on his date. But eventually bumped into Lauren, got his attention and asked for a date.

            Later on, Lauren Scott played by Reese Witherspoon, found herself dating these two guys not knowing they are friends and became really confused of who to choose.

            Although there were flaws and it was obvious who Lauren would pick, I still enjoyed the whole experience. I like how action, comedy and romance were all rolled into one film. I also find it cute because it wasn’t the typical CIA-related serious action movie. Probably not at their best, but the actors especially Witherspoon, made it all worthwhile.

            The story just showed me the real test of friendship and the difference that love can make to a person. I also learned that in love and relationship, we must choose the one who can make us a better person. 

            Lastly, I just love how this feel-good movie kept me smiling up to the very end. :)

 

 

            This Means War

            Action Romantic Comedy 

            Directed by: McG

            Casts: Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, Tom Hardy

UNOFFICIALLY YOURS

            Since I was single and working during the Valentine’s Day, my family and I celebrated this occasion only last Saturday, February 18. So what did we do? Being an Angel Locsin fan and pretty excited about her latest movie, where else would I invite my family? In cinema and watch UnOfficially Yours definitely!

            The movie is about a guy, Mackie, who came from failed relationships but considers falling in love again and a modern-day woman, Ces, who doesn’t believe in commitments. Then they met in a very strange event. What happens if the other wants to take it into the next, serious level and the other still finds it for fun?

            I think, John Lloyd who played the role of Mackie Galvez, has mastered the art of making pa-“kilig” in his movies. He may not have the sexiest body, but he has captured every girl’s heart. There was this particular scene where he said to Angel (Ces), “Naghihintay lang ng inspirasyon… Uy, nandyan ka na pala…”, then started to type really fast on his keyboard/PC. It was funny but really felt that “kilig”. I’ve seen JL’s movies since One More Chance and this must be his most daring film – well, in terms of baring too much skin.:p

            As an Angel Locsin fan and having been able to watch almost all her movies, I can say she truly has grown as an artist. Playing the role of Ces, she was able to sustain that level of maturity of an actress she has already showed in In The Name of Love. For me, Angel was very effective with her character that I nearly forgot it was her and dama ko siya talaga! Feminism in the film is quite evident in Angel’s character as she portrays a very strong and independent woman. Since The Promise, I think Angel just keeps on becoming bolder in her movies. And here in her latest, without a doubt, she really is Philippines’ Sexiest Woman/Celebrity – deserve na deserve!

            At lot of people have perceived this movie as a rip-off of Hollywood’s Friends With Benefits and No Strings Attached, but director Cathy Garcia-Molina did it great by making a not-so-old-not-so-new concept appear fresh. These movies may have similarly tackled casual sex relationship, but UnOfficially Yours differed by having a story with a very pinoy approach; like how families affect with the two main characters and how involved friends are in this situation. It is also nice that an old Filipino custom like Harana has still become a part of this very modern love story done in a modern way.

            As I’ve said, I was with my conservative family including my mom and lola, when I watched this. Although it was very sexy, they never find it bastos or anything like that. The director perfectly made those love making hidden in a very hilarious scene. I was laughing so hard specifically in that wild, “kalabugan” scene where Mackie’s friends were just waiting for them outside his room.

Overall, I completely enjoyed the movie. I find it amazing how a light romantic-comedy film took me into their world and captured my attention all throughout. I also love how they all seem to be so fab with their outfits especially Angel. It shows that no matter how toxic the workplace is, anyone should still look fashionable. 

UnOfficially Yours is not your typical love story where boy meets girl then someone comes along that gives conflict to the story. Here, it teaches us that there are relationships that start in an unconventional way; that it is the couple themselves that complicates everything; that sometimes, relationship doesn’t really need an official status but understanding; and, that we should never easily give up and surrender in love. At the end, it made me think why I still stay single. Am I like Ces who is just afraid of commitments and getting hurt? Or, am I just waiting for someone like Mackie who would do such effort and make me believe in love again? Choss!

           UnOfficially Yours is definitely a Must-See movie for people who are in love, got hurt and wants to try and fall in love again!

Single on Valentine's Day?

Now that Valentine’s Day is finally approaching, most people would feel that LOVE already is in the air! 

Couples, for sure, are now busy preparing and planning for their V-day date. Flowers, chocolates and balloons are all over the place. We would also notice that restaurants and cinemas are full of lovers on the 14^th. But what if you are SINGLE on this very special day? What can you do to enjoy this event?

Hmmm ., broken-hearted?

I think it would best to be with your friends in celebrating this affair if you are mending a broken heart. Who else can make you laugh really hard and forget such painful situation but your friends, right? Sometimes, bonding with your buddies on Valentine’s Day can even make your friendship stronger. The only thing is, sana SINGLE din silang lahat para di ka maingit. Chos! 

“Can you be my Valentine?”

If there is that one person you wanted to be with on this event, go, and ask him/her to be your Valentine date! I think this is just so easy for guys – they only need GUTS and enough MONEY. ;p But for women like me, it would really be hard to ask a guy for a date. It would require too much COURAGE and FIGHTING SPIRIT to do it! And also, we have these tradition or Filipino values instilled to us that, that men should ALWAYS do the first move. But then again, we are all entitled with our own opinion, so, kanya-kanyang paniniwala lang yan. What’s important here is, make sure that the person you wanted to be with is also single! :p

Spend it with your FAMILY.

Is Valentine’s only meant for LOVERS? I don’t think so. For me, this is the season where in we celebrate LOVE ., not only for our partner, but also for those people dear to us – including our family. If all your friends are in a relationship and you got rejected by that person in your mind, to whom would you run to? To your family, right? Show your love and have your family as your date. :)

Single.

Whether you came from a failed relationship or a painful past, it is okay to be bitter; curse all the lovers in the world and try to pretend that Valentine’s Day doesn’t exists. Guess it is part of the healing process and our defense mechanism. But let us remember our family and friends. They are the ones who would definitely make us feel better. 

In love with a particular person? Say it. They deserve to know that they are loved. If they don’t feel the same way for you, surely you’ll get hurt; but eventually, you’ll learn to accept it. At least, nasabi mo and you’ll have no regrets and what ifs. I know it is always a different case for us girls. Pero siguro kaya nga ata merong Valentine’s Day eh, for us to have an excuse in making such major, bold move. But like I’ve said, diskarte mo na yan girl, it is always up to you.

 Does it really matter if you’re single or taken on the Heart’s Day? Well, for me, this is an occasion where we celebrate the presence of LOVE and remember how great it is. This is also the moment that we acknowledge those people we really care about, may it be your special someone, friend/s or family members. Married? In a relationship? It’s Complicated? Those are just status. I believe, what’s important is, we recognize and continue to show and spread LOVE. 

Happy Happy Valentine’s Day!  Love! Love! Love! :)

Tagaytay trip 2012

            For several years now, it has been a tradition in our family to go to Tagaytay during the month of January. Why? Well, I really don’t know, probably for us to feel the coldness of the season.

             And so, early this month - last January 8, we went to Tagaytay. 

            First thing we did when we got there was, to do grocery then dine at the famous Mushroom Burger…

Smile muna while waiting for the food :)

This wishing well is located just outside the resto :)

            Then we visited Our Lady of Manaoag. I’m not sure if it has been there for a long time now coz the only Shrine of Manaoag I know is, the one located in Pangasinan. 

The image of Our Lady of Manaoag

(R) The Forgiveness Corner ; (L) The place where people write their personal prayers

Images of Mama Mary, Jesus Christ and other saints

Station of the Cross outside the shrine

            I’m sure anyone would feel blessed after visiting a holy place, because that’s how I felt afterwards. So glad we made it there – it was our first time! :)

Jesus Christ on the Cross located at the 3rd floor of the Shrine

With the very huge image of Our Lady of Manaoag :)

            And since we’re already in Tagaytay, we sure didn’t want to miss trying out the ZipLine. So later in our trip, we went to the Picnic Grove and seek to experience the adventure that they offer. 

That is me on the right with ate Lara and Shan on her back ..

Our souvenir from the Tagaytay Zipline .. :)

            We can also never deny the beauty of nature in Tagaytay ...

At the Picnic Grove

I forgot where was this taken .. heheh!

            To complete our trip, we dropped by the Mahogany market and bought some fresh beef. We definitely had fun the whole day and a great way to start the fully loaded week! :)