My current Food Buddy

Let's see.

For two consecutive nights (Thursday and Friday), I met my cousin Den after work and we always ended up having dinner somewhere. The first night I was in a deep Bad Food Day and I was so hungry that we went to a reliable place where I can just have Miso, Tempura and their garlicky Misono dishes. Dishes that could never go wrong. We went to Tokyo Tokyo.



*Guffaw 2 rice servings, my dear

Last night however, we initially decided to head home and to have dinner somewhere near Sun Valley. But we found out that we both craved for something Chinese. So, I immediately took her to Man Yann where we ordered Siomai and the famed CHAMI.


*Visit Man Yann (Glorietta) and do not miss this dish. It's their bestseller, you'll know why.


Den didn't know what Chami was and she's notably a rice person. I told her that Mitch was the first one who introduced me this and I was equally apprehensive because I'm not really a fan of lomi-type of noodles. But I gave it a shot and I've loved it ever since. Since she trusts me and practically she has no other choice, we ordered. When it arrived, I waited for Den's reaction first.

She liked it. She loved it. She went on eating.
I told her we shouldn't do this often though, especially before Christmas. But who am I fooling?

We ended up finishing the whole dish.

Weekend Agenda 101.

I have to remind myself to remind my sister to get our computer fixed. I was uploading pictures last night and it just suddenly died down on me. My cousin asked me if I saw a blue screen, which I didn't. It just died down and wouldn't turn on. I'm betting the insides are completely fried due to, I don't even want to know. I hope that right after I engage in my Spanish Film Festival tomorrow, when I get home, our computer's fixed or I would have to do the hassle-hoff method to blog and view stuff over the weekend.

Another thing that I have to accomplish is acquiring a reputable Eye Cream. I have to get one of those, since my eyes have been noticeably puffy and racoonish for like...an eternity. I guess, at this rate I'm already starting late, but what the hell. Better late than never that is if I don't want to look like 40 on my next 25th birthday. I'm already reading online forums about the brilliant effects of L'Oreal Revitalift and OLAY, but I'm still as clueless as a lost bee. I have leads that's what I have so far, but I'm still looking.

Project Runway Philippines

I know that this might be a little bit delayed, but I find myself regularly watching Project Runway Philippines for the past few weeks. Although I’ve watched the first few episodes before, I wasn’t regularly viewing it until this guy Eli was booted out because of his “consistent” inconsistency. From that episode, I’ve watched it ever since. Last Wednesday they are down to the last three, the crème de la crème of the batch. These three candidates all have one last shot for their finale runway where they would get to show and direct their own collections as they see fit. No more challenges, no more instructions, just their own mini fashion show.

If you’re familiar with the show, well then good. If you’re not, well, just try catching it in DVD, also grab the American Version while you’re at it, because it’s way better.

THE EPISODE:


Anyways, the last episode was a clincher. Four designers/candidates were left and whoever gets booted out won’t be included in the finale of presenting their very own collection. As the coined term “This is it.” In some ways, the three finalists are already winners and have already achieved the "designer’s dream" to showcase their very own collection to fashion savants with National TV Coverage, talk about exposure. This is the end of all ends and would ultimately decide their fate.

THE CANDIDATES:

Mara, a 21 year old, edgy designer is a favorite of the judges. She is your avant-garde, edgy designer with so many fresh ideas, but with inexperienced skills in execution. But what’s good about her amidst the flaws is that she always intrigues people on what she would come up with. Sometimes I don’t like her, especially when she speaks, and sometimes I didn’t mind at all.

Meanwhile, Aries is a designer who is known to be really good with patterns. He is not afraid to use bold colors or use different techniques. He is very dedicated to fashion and very driven to win.

Veejay, 23, is also an experienced designer in so many ways. He has already competed internationally. He is very consistent with his modern-themed creations with innovative structures that spell convenience. He creates “wearable or milder” avant-garde versions of what Mara makes.

Philipp, 36, from Cebu is my favorite. He is very experienced and skilled in what he does. He is an efficient worker and very focused amidst the blurry times. What I like about him is that he is very honest and genuine. He may an expert in creating avant-garde or modern creations, but he gets his inspiration from romantic themes. He sources strength from traditions, dress making and gown-making. He is also best to understand how to dress a woman.


I cannot even believe I would be quite familiar with all of this as I did not have any prior inkling to fashion reality shows at all. Fashion is not really my cup of tea, but probably I could appreciate dresses and designs in initial glance. Sometimes it’s funny that WHAT I DON’T LIKE seems PHENOMENAL to the judges; and creations WHICH I LIKE seem to be lacking of creativity to them. I just don’t get it, but since I only judge the creation on superficial points versus what the Judges, who are experts in this industry, see behind the skill, geometry and theme, supreme judgment goes to them.

THE SERIES:

Watching project runway is imagining candidates cram in a Home Economics class, only that they end up making dresses and not cross stitch samples (Gosh, how I hated the cross-stitch program). They are under time constraint to finish the dresses single handedly. You have to be good with your hands like a dentist and really good with mental geometry, which are my WEAKEST points.

It’s even harder when they run out of creative juices because judges always seem to demand more aside from impeccable skill. They want something fresh and eye catching. They want something innovative and creative on top of wanting the candidates to be consistent. IN short, Rajo dares for a formidable competition to eat some portions of the fashion pie. While Apples Aberin would want a new designer that she could inevitably run to. All in all it’s a tough job, and being booted out in national TV where Philippines is so small, most probably entails another internal challenge. I’m sure one of these days I’ll see one of the designers in the metro.

But the show is not that catty as I have imagined. I’m sure a lot goes into editing. But you can see nips and pieces of Filipino culture. Backstabbing. Helping…then backstabbing. Gossiping. Ego Tripping. Slacking. Plastikan Oh, the usual, nothing quite new. What’s weird about it is that sometimes they try so hard to say everything in English. It just destroys the moment.


THE OUTCOME

BTW, Mara lost last night (Great). So it’s down to Aries, Veejay and Philipp. For the first time ever, I think I’m interested to watch a legitimate fashion show.

The Blanket Type of Day

After a BAD FOOD DAY yesterday, I said that today, mistakes are not allowed.

I got my reliable Bagel breakfast at Starbucks with Cream Cheese with a cold Pineapple Juice equals a good start.

And I'm just so chirpy today NOT ONLY because it's FRIDAY but because it's so FREAKING GLOOMY outside. It's like GOTHAM city on a very bad day. I love the day. I love the weather. I love my breakfast. Enough said.

But for those anti-storms out there, we don't have any storms. According to the news we just have a "SHALLOW LOW PRESSURE AREA" seen somewhere near Leyte. We'll most probably have rainshowers in the afternoon all throughout the evening, like we're not used it already?

But who couldn't want to be tucked into this weather? I'm smelling DVD marathon when I get home, and a Spanish Film marathon tomorrow! PSYCHE! I'm tasting Swiss Miss and Honey Stars ahead, serve me some of that Luk Yuen Fish congee, why don't you! Ah! I'm too obvious amidst this gloom. I love it!

BAD FOOD DAY is worse than a BAD HAIR DAY

*Home October 9, 2008


I consider this as a very BAD FOOD DAY, just like when girls say that "I'm having a BAD HAIR DAY," having a "BAD FOOD DAY" has just the same context. Correction. It's even worse.

When a person has a Bad Hair Day, they would just result to cringing while trying to solve the damage as much as possible. They would either comb it, buy leave on conditioner or just tie it as if it's non-existent. They would probably forget about it the whole day and sleep it off until they shower the next day. They would ultimately sound vain and weird if they constantly whine about it. I'm sorry, but that is not enough reason to act like such a damaged individual unless you're a high-fashion model with a one time interview with Janice Dickenson. Sometimes genes, hormones and nature play the part. In this case, it's not always within one's control. But I'm sure most people won't go as far as wash their hair in public or go to the parlor for that mere reason alone. The worst case is that they would just get irritated...period.

But when a person has a "BAD FOOD DAY," the damages are far worse. Money, easy money, is thrown to waste. Psychological satisfaction is unmet. There is a Higher probability of nursing a woozy stomach. And one would end up managing an intense craving until he ends up eating too much than what was planned.

It happened to me today, FREAKING food SHIT OF NATURE! All basic meals were downgraded to mere "biological fuel" and FOOD is never simply seen as a "biological fuel." Lunch was a disaster with the particular Mongolian Bowl. It was crazy-glossy with oil, the sauce has a faint spicy taste, but they could've done more with extra herbs and seasoning. The bowl was overpriced and has less meat than usual. In short, it wasn't worth it. After 3 spoonfuls, I nearly vomited it to the wastebasket.

But fine, one strike is very manageable. I tried to nurse my starvation till dinner, but at around 3 in the afternoon my stomach was gurgling like a clogged sink. I went to the canteen and had to choose between this succulent looking LOMI and plain Sotanghon. Of course it had to be instantly pleasing this time, so I got the LOMI, which looked very promising. I hurriedly took it to my office only to be disappointed the second time around. After a couple of spoonfuls, I knew I was about to be gagged with WANSOY and PEPPER! It had a faint taste of what good LOMI should taste like. The lomi snack that I bought for roughly 40 bucks wasn't close to acceptable. I closed the container and tried to offer it to my officemates. In food, it's more of a relationship. Disappoint me once, that's fine. But if I get to the third spoonful and it still tastes like crap, I stop and give it to someone else who is just desperate.

I didn't stop there. Silly me.

I went down again to look for something to eat. I saw a beautifully made cake, but so as not to be fooled, I asked what it was and went as far as asking them of the ingredients. The name was even more enticing "FROZEN MANGO CAKE." Relieved, glad, I wasn't so sure. I paid 40 bucks and got it. I think on my way to the office, I even lowered my expectations just to be sure.

When I first took a bite, need I surprise myself more? It was not at par to my lowered expectation. It doesn't even make sense. It was just a plain sponge cake anyone could buy at the grocery, slice it in half, put heavy cream on it and put a slice of over riped mango. It wasn't even close to cold, and they're telling me it's frozen? I'm sorry but was the cream a metaphor to Frozen?

I've had enough. My officemate even noticed how frustrated I've become. "Malas ka lang ngayon." Well, double "malas" (Ill fortune) my ass! I spent 250 bucks today for food that tastes like crap. I was still as hungry as a horse and I cannot focus on accomplishing detailed reports without a psychologically and biologically satisfying sustenance. "I'm going to Glorietta later. This experience will be offset, I promise."

It's more nerve wracking aside from the fact that it's an easy money that I spent. Also, there's a discomforting feeling of not being able to eat something substantial or close to satisfying. The food is present. It's abundant, but the food tastes like paper. It wouldn't do me any good at all. I would end up craving and eating more than I should just like what happened today.

After work, I asked the bank car to drop me off at Glorietta. I called my cousin to join me for dinner and I'm picking the place. At this rate, since I'm spending AGAIN for the Nth time this day, I don't want to experiment anymore. I instantly asked her to meet me at Tokyo Tokyo and finally after a day of unsatisfactory extra consumption, I finally hit much needed value and jackpot at Tokyo Tokyo. We finished it up with an Ice cream cone at Snowstorm before we headed home.

I'm still comprehending though if my hormones were just raging or I just had a bad luck of picking the wrong kinds of food this day. This seldom happens to me though. It doesn't take until dinner for me to offset a particular bad taste in my mouth, but still I wouldn't want to experience this again, hopefully ever. People's lives, my wallet and my sanity are at stake.

Confession: I watch Coffeemakers

I have a weird habit of watching a coffeemakers in action. It must be the gurgling sound, the ingenuity of the machine, or the resemblance of a futuristic Mrs. Potts (Beauty and The Beast). I specifically like it more when I’m witnessing the percolation in its earlier stages. I see fine, glistening coffee drip in that transparent pot, while it suggests for other people to do something more productive with their time. But no…..I watch.

I’m one of the coffee maker’s biggest fans. I drink an average of 4 cups of coffee a day and I like it piping hot. I go to Coffee Bean and Starbucks on special occasions when I’m craving for their signature drinks, but I’m a certified coffee maker drinker everyday. I get a very special satisfaction drinking at coffee makers. They’re so empowering. Also, I only get to experience this bliss at the office since no one REALLY drinks coffee as much as I do at home. My dad favors the 3-in-1 Sugarfree packs and occasional Americano Decaf at coffee shops, my sister’s coffee experience is only limited to Starbucks and my mom never drinks coffee. So far, I’m the only viable candidate for caffeine addiction.

I’ve also accepted the fact that they never have any intention of buying a suitable coffee maker. My dad once bought a bread maker, literally a complicated slab of a machine, but it was never used ONCE. But when he won a couple of coffee makers from his golf tournaments, he would just give it away or he simply doesn’t mind where our maids put it.

So, by the time I get my own unit or maybe as a preparation for our new house, you know what I’m probably getting first, not that you really want to know. I just had to explain my weird habit.

Global Competitiveness Report Card

I had an orientation a couple of weeks ago with our Regional Group Head, a Trinidad and Tobago expatriate, who casually asked us why our very global organization wanted to put up operational headquarters in Manila. An honest fellow mentioned “BECAUSE WE’RE CHEAP!” I involuntarily cringed with sound effects. I totally get him, but it was probably because of the way the words were strung together and the image that popped in my mind. Me, cheap?

Yeah. Sure I am over exaggerating (as usual), but I cannot stop myself from stifling a sigh. Our charismatic and popular leader somehow heard some of our snickers and simply smiled. He knew better that to offend the guy who answered "WE WERE CHEAP." He graciously thanked the fellow for his answers and faced all of us. “I must agree that costs matter especially expanding in business, but do not ever think that you are here, hired and joined in one of the greatest global organizations just because you’re CHEAP.” Thank heavens he elevated us back!

He pointed that, yes, this country has relatively cheaper labor costs, but the organization has opted to strengthen a regional operations headquarters here because aside from the cost, the people are very efficient and the attitude exemplary. They could've decided to focus on better developed Asian Countries like Malaysia or Singapore, but they knew that we have the skills and our remarkable work ethics that differ in ten folds compared to our Asian counterparts. He also mentioned that they considered our ENGLISH proficiency, efficiency in fostering global interactions and ties, and positive attitude in things. They could have also established their presence in much cheaper places like in Cambodia or Vietnam, yet they felt that their goals will be not properly met in doing so. So at the end, he told us not to think of ourselves cheap, on the contrary we are highly valued, excellent and competitive.

After his speech I think I said to myself: “I KNEW THAT ALL ALONG.” At that time, I wanted to whack myself in the head for almost losing my self-esteem. But seriously, I figured we are really that competitive. We have a developed universal language. We have institutions and business infrastructures here. We have renowned strong work ethic; and we are naturally good handling foreigners. No matter how traditional we are, we are the most westernized and liberal nation compared to our Asian counterparts. I thought that was all it took.

Little did I know that on the most recent Global Competitive Survey, Vietnam has already surpassed us by one notch as we clinch the 71st spot, just better than our competitors Cambodia (109th) and East Timor (129th). We are 71st out of 134 countries. That is such a sad number. How come Vietnam became more competitive than us? Was the speech I heard a bluff? Did they see this report already and realize they made a mistake? I wonder. I thought it would roughly take Vietnam 5 more years to build half of what we did, but apparently in some ways, they already did.

Before I try to scrutinize these results, I have to remind myself that the ranking is taken from a survey. Surveys illicit opinions, no matter how calculated. The ranking is also based in so many different areas which make up the GLOBAL COMPETITIVE INDEX:

1. Business Sophistication
2. Financial Market Sophistication
3. Goods market efficiency
4. health and primary education
5. higher education and training
6. institutions
7. infrastructure
8. innovation
9. labor market efficiency
10. macroeconomic stability
11. market size
12. technological readiness


As simple citizens and consumers, we only get to judge ourselves against what we readily see in our infrastructure, market size, goods market efficiency. Business sophistication may be also considered as one of our good attributes, but we GREATLY lag behind public health, education, efficient public institutions, and transparency in dealings of government with the private sector. Just like any normal report card, it drags down our average and outweighs our good sides.

TOP 5: US, SWITZERLAND, DENMARK, SWEDEN and SINGAPORE (in that order)

HERE is the post:
http://manilatimes.net/national/2008/oct/09/yehey/top_stories/20081009top4.html