Foodistas in Antipolo

The Foodistas went to Antipolo today to do a little project (feature on street food) for Table for Three, Please. The place we went to is just outside the Antipolo Church, where the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage is at. We all entered the church, and Joey took some shots. I prayed for peace of heart and mind for my friends and for myself. We proceeded to business after - went to the Pasalubong Center, where all the manangs are selling Antipolo and Philippine products.

After buying food, interviewing, taking pictures, we decided to dine at Vieux Chalet for lunch, since we were around the area already. It was a road trip! :3 We didn't know where it was. We got lost (slash) felt we were lost, but Vieux Chalet was worth it and all that! At the end of the trip, we hit two birds with one stone - the feature and the resto review. I had a great time :)

MF @ Vieux Chalet Photo from: Joey

After everything, I got off at Katipunan, had my hair cut (my hair's not ugly anymore Achi Denise) and waited for Aldwin at Ateneo before going to Earl's house for a little class reunion. Earl just got back from Cornell and we had dinner at his house; plus we played Wii (Super Smash Brothers and Mario Party for the win). Too bad I didn't get to take pictures. Good thing Alex Uy brought his camera...and took all the shots.

ADMU's Church of the Gesu

Megamall Meeting

The Foodistas ate at Rai Rai Ken for their meeting. Those present were Hannah, Mark, Joey, Harrell, Pat, and me. I dragged my shoti (little brother) along because we were suppose to shop for clothes after. We ordered the Garlic Chili Ramen, one of the Rairaiken's Originals, and the 3 Kinds Bento under the Sumo Bentos menu. 

Garlic Chili Ramen (Php 165) Photo By: Mark Wu

3 Kinds Bento (Php 280) Photo By: Bong using Mark's D-60

After lunch, we decided to review Bubble Tea at Bldg. B, near the Food Court. I ordered the Strawberry Milk Tea (large). Watch our for the review at Manila Foodistas. :)

Strawberry Milk Tea (Php 95) Photo By: Mark Wu

After everyone left, Jason and I shopped for clothes to wear at Mica's debut. Luckily, we found something at Cinderella's. 

Rai Rai Ken

LGF Bldg. A

SM Megamall

Edsa cor. Julia Vargas Ave.

Mandaluyong City, MM.

Tel No. +632-633-5046

Bubble Tea

LGF Bldg. B

SM Megamall

Edsa cor. Julia Vargas Ave.

Mandaluyong City, MM.

Tel No. +632-638-7479

Manila Foodistas

Pasig River Ferry Experience

Harrell, Joey, Kat and I went on a cruise on the Pasig River Ferry xD

We met 07:45am in UP, then drove to Guadalupe station. We passed by a lot of oil depots, shantis, factories, St. Jude, Malacanang Palace, and got down at Escolta station.

It was just 20 pesos for students (from one station to wherever) It is an inexpensive mode of public transport. It was so awesome - it's even air conditioned! You also get serenaded by "slow rock" 70s sing-a-long.

I laud the Phil. government for its efforts in reviving Pasig. I hope it would continue for the better. :)

Oh yeah, keep your eyes open for the PSG (Presidential Security Group) who will ride from one of the stations. They'll make sure that everything is secured when the ferry passes Malacanang. Damn. I saw what is printed on the back of the 20 peso bill! Niceee. xD

We went to Binondo. It was Joey's first time. Had fun "touring" especially when Harrell visited his aunt. (details will remain a secret for Harrell's sake?) Ate at Wai-Ying, Harrell's choice. It was delish!!

We rode back from Escolta to Guadalupe, then we went to Rockwell to cool off and hang-out after. We rode back to UP, and, eventually, home. Fun Day!

- We don't have pictures of Malacanang bec. we were not allowed to do so for (national) security reasons?
- I must say that joey's driver drives damn well (fast)
- We should finish the DVD some other time, eh?

Surprise, Surprise!

Patrick was really stressing out since weeks before about his 3 exams on his birthday. So just days before, I thought of surprising him. I got in touch with Joey and Hannah, and came up with a fantabulous (fantastic+fabulous) plan. I got Sheena and Tiffy too with the letters. Got help from Ces, Yao, Pam, Renz, Harrell and Maxi too♥

Sarah, Renz, Annabellee, Pao Pei, Merri, Harrell, Hannah, Joey, Tiff and I waited outside the Math building for Pat and Yao to finish their Math 17 exams. And then, we surprised him. :)) We kidnapped him and ate out at Pino Bar after (just near U.P.)

Blowing his Nerds sprinkled choco cake
Photo By: Joey

We ♥Patrick Balloons
Photo By: Joey

Merri, Sarah, Sheena, Yao, Renz, Anna, Pat, Pao Pei, Me, Harrell, Hannah, Tiff
Photo By: Joey

Pat, Hannah, Bong, Joey, Harrell, Sheena, Tiff
Photo By: Merri

@Pino Bar, Q.C.
Photo By: Joey

Phở Hoa ♥

Hannah, Joey, Kat and Harrell went to Pisay today for the Fair. And since they said they wouldn't take long, we planned to eat lunch at TriNoma. And so I met with them there. They went with Lance, whom Hannah "kidnapped" from Pisay.

We ate at Phở Hoa - Joey's favorite. I have never eaten there before so I was excited to try it out. I had the Marinated Shrimp with Grilled Pork. It tasted good. The marinated shrimp was just like any other - I think. In my opinion it went well with the rice and the pork, which was nicely done.

Hannah, Lance, Kat, Me, Harrell (Joey took the shot)

Fresh Spring Rolls with Peanut sauce

Marinated Prawns with Grilled Pork

Harrell and Joey led us after to Dairy Queen. They were really walking fast. Kat thought they were in a hurry to get ice cream, but only Hannah and Lance ordered. All of us abstained. :))

Harrell and Joey ♥

We went to Kat's car after to play bridge for a while, then we went home.

All photos courtesy of Joey.

Ultimate Frisbee Friday

Achi Denise, Tippi, Adi, and Tin went to UP today for our scheduled Ultimate Frisbee game! Justin got out of his Thesis class for a while to join us. I can't believe that it pushed through! Yeahboy! Next time ulit! :)

I met Denise, Tippi and Adi at the "tambayan" they claimed - the chair they carved their asses on daw near/along the Sunken Garden. Funny how they were really half-drunk, ecstatic and giddy of the things they saw in UP, and about being in UP in general. I brought them to the CSA tambayan, while I was changing to my shoes.

Achi Denise got to hear the Bong song again. eep. :\

Pats, Joey, Harrell, Maxi, Regi, and Paul played with us too.

The Ongs + Paul vs. CSA. So it was Adi, Tin, Paul and I vs. Pats, Regi, Maxi, Joey and Harrell. :))

After I got cramps, we've called it a match already. I think we won even if after for a while, I twisted my ankle, played 3 vs. 5 (because Tin already sat out), then had the cramps. Hee.

Yao made it, but not in time for the actual game. We were all sitting down on the grass at that time. Sayang!

And now, my right ankle hurts, but ultimately I enjoyed today. I'm glad you guys enjoyed too. XD

(pic/s to follow)

Fulfilling

It's really so nice that you can actually do something and make a small but lasting impact to others. :)

Kim, Laureen, Kester, Pats, Alvene, Harrell, Joey and I went to Gawad Kalinga to help build houses, as part of the service activity of our organization in UP, the Chinese Student Association. It was really really fun. Bonding!

HEADLINE 1: CHILD LABORER! CALL BANTAY BATA 163 A.S.A.P.!
HEADLINE 2: LOST PROPHET, MOSES: PARTING OF THE RED SOIL

After the build, we all went to eat lunch at Bacolod's Chicken and BBQ near Ever Gotesco, Commonwealth. After lunch, we had desserts upstairs (cake galore!). I love the Avocado cake I ordered. I'll go back there for sure. :)

Chinese Students Join Nation-Building

The University of the Philippines Chinese Student Association participated today in building houses at the Gawad Kalinga Central, UP Village, as their annual service activity to cap-off their week-long celebrations of Chinese New Year/ Culturals week.

An 8-man team led by, no less than their President, Kimberly Ong, shoveled and dug through soil and rocks to clear out the site, where the foundation of the house will be built.

Kimberly says that, "We do this service activity annually so that we can bridge the gap between Chinese and Filipino people; and so that we can also break certain stereotypes people have about us (Filipino-Chinese students)."

"In the spirit of the Chinese new year, we should learn to share what we have with others, especially the less fortunate. But of course, this does not mean we help the less fortunate only during the Cultural Week. We should help them as much as we can," she adds.

After the build, which lasted from 8am to around 11am, they were all introduced to Engineer del Rosario, Project Manager of the site. He shared with us the vision on Gawad-Kalinga and his vision of the community in the area.

"Here in GK, there is no difference between the rich and the poor. Lahat pantay pantay (Everyone's equal)," said Engr. Del Rosario.

He also stressed that what the volunteers are doing is a sacrifice one can do as part of nation-building.

"You are now part of the 1MB or the Isang Milyong mga Bayani", Engr. Del Rosario explains.

He said that one doesn't have to be dead to become a hero. It is better, according to him, to do something heroic, like building houses and sharing your talents in GK programs to "the least of your brethren" when one's still alive.

Laureen Lukban, PRC head and project organizer, said, "People think it's hard, and it is. It takes hard work. But you don't have to push yourself (in building a house). That's why it's better when you have other people with you because you work together; and that's what makes it fun!"