Songkran - Review

Songkran is a Thai festival that is celebrated from New Year's Day up to the 13th or 14th of April. Along Aguirre Avenue inside BF Homes, Parañaque a restaurant named after this festival is found. Known for serving spicy Thai food, our family tried eating here.

Being a known Thai food service in our place we were expecting that same Thai food experience and taste. We were looking for food that tasted Thai and with the same spicy feel. It personally didn't reach my expectation of hot spicy food but I can say that the food tasted great.

They serve one of the tastiest bagoong rice, but not the best. I ordered this red beef curry expecting it to burn my insides and it barely singed my tongue. The rest were good enough but none exceptional.

A great concern of mine though is that there was too little servings. My stomach still is not satisfied and I swear I did not starve myself before going there.

Anyway, if you are not a heavy eater and just after the experience go ahead and take the opportunity. If you are someone though who looks for the specific spicy goodness at a great amount then don't get your hopes up when going here.

Family in Pansol

Family, meet my girlfriend. It was a weekend spent in a private resort we rented in Pansol, Laguna with my family and girlfriend. From the usual singing the karaoke, eating and preparing food, playing games and of course swimming, the weekend can be summarized as a great success.

First of all, we haven't went swimming in a pool for quite a long time.  We may have went swimming on a beach the last time but being on a swimming pool with just these people you know is quite a different feeling. This was a great chance since many of us had the time. Aside from swimming, we also get to do things we didn't have time to do such as hear each other sing in karaoke and drink alcohol, that isn't beer.

Second, spending time with the Estuesta side of the family was a great experience since we don't always have outings such as this. Every one is usually busy and only get to see each other to eat. At last, we get to work out body too through swimming. Although eating will never be separated from our family. It some sort of a tradition to gobble up.

Such a blessing it is to have my family together. It is a great experience to spend a day and a night with them. This experience is quite exciting and makes me impatient at the possibilities to come to have them again.

I'm a photographer nao!!!

Yes, because many people around the interwebz that photography is only for those with (d)SLR, so I got myself one. I kid, father asked someone to look for cheap second hand dSLRs  in Cebu for quite some time. Months passed and yesterday was the day among the days of all the blessed days. (what) It is an old  EOS 350D that went with Tamron SP AF 17-50 mm lens. It also came along with

For starters it is a good set for my brother's and I to practice and see our way through how SLRs are used. This would be the first time I would get a hold on one and I'm really looking forward to using it.

Boating World Amianan: Review

Over the last weekend our family spent a day off from the metro by going up north to the province. We visited my parents' home in Villasis and Dagupan. In between both visits we side stepped to the beach of San Fabian, Pangasinan. It took us time to find a decent place. The first side of the beach we went to was too public with kids running completely naked to the water along with a lot of garbage. After seeing too much we moved to Boating World. It is on opposite sides of the shore and the difference is absolute. It is observable from the amount of people in the area which also leads to the amount of litter.

We took one of the cottages they had outside their resort. It prices only 500 pesos, only 100 pesos difference  from almost wide open cottages easily found. It can easily fit at most ten people and has easy access to the beach just like the others. It is well maintained that they don't have to clean it up when you arrive.

They even have this hammock inside which is great if you plan on staying quite long on the beach. Anyone you leave to guard your stuff will feel at ease and relaxed lying down here. The place even has a door and a lock just so everyone can at least be at the shore without worrying too much about your things. It has it's own comfort room and it serves its purpose. It isn't what you will find in a 5 star hotel but it did serve us well. Shower rooms were quite a distant from where we were but it didn't bother too much.

The place had a swimming pool which we found too crowded so we didn't venture in. The cottages around the pool were designed great from the outside. They somehow looked like trailer trucks but I'm not too sure. I couldn't say anything yet about how it is inside since I haven't seen it. Although the litter is always present, it is by the least lessened, we still should hope that cleanliness is observed by management.

The beach by the way, was amazing. If you are into having waves smash on you then this is the place to be. Every time the tides go low the waves get a bit rough but not too high. Shallow water is even a long walk from the shore.

Well that's all I can say for now. If you are planning to go to the San Fabian, Pangasinan to enjoy the beach, that is the Boating World is the sure place to be.

Doctor Who: Series 5 review

Throughout the recent summer I've been busying myself with a Doctor Who marathon. Driven by curiosity from friends who talked about it. I started watching it from Season 1 of its revival since its cancellation 16 years before it.

Series 5 started with Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor, the Raggedy Doctor, inhatroducing himself to the young Amy Pond. Anyway, the series went with different events throughout history and the future. It is even interesting that they are able to keep consistency from series' before it. If you haven't watched it you don't have to start from Series 1, or even the 1963 series. They have made is so that you are able to follow the story even if you begin with Series 5.

I had a lot of time in my hands then so I began with Series 1. I didn't want to just find little things out as the story progresses in the coming episodes and series because I wanted a broad understanding. If you are like me then go ahead and do as I did.

The series was able to pull out new stories and they were good. I just didn't enjoy Matt Smith as the Doctor as much as I did enjoy Tennant Doctor. The stories were written better but sometimes it just felt that something was missing. Well it still is a good series and it is now on it's sixth. It really is addicting though so I should warn you of that.

Alma de Cuba: Latin Grill and Cantina

Along Aguirre, Alma de Cuba is one of the unnoticed restaurants in BF. Smack in the heart of BF, this restaurant houses one of the best Ribs in the history of Ribs ever since Racks. Although they are of different category of food origin they serve almost the same kinds of dishes. Ribs, chicken wings, etc they have it. The only difference might be the side dishes served because ADC serves nachos and stuff.

I hate to say it but people I feel ashamed to have only noticed the restaurant now. Most people would judge a place on how crowded it is when they haven't actually tasted the meals. Alma De Cuba deserves to be noticed. It isn't one of the kind but it sure is one of the best of its kind out there.

Thor(2011) Review

A Marvel studios film directed by Kenneth Branagh and starred Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston and Anthony Hopkins among many characters in the film. Greatly directed showing the drama of romance, brotherly rivalry and tight fight scenes. It definitely is an eye candy of a movie, especially when watched in 3D. It is a must to watch it in 3D as, so far, it has been the most detailed film that used the technology. Other than using 3D to make audiences see something approaching the screen, they used 3D to emphasize on the depth of the surroundings. It surely was a great experience. Well, for the ladies Hemsworth's body is enough of an eye candy. Anyway, I just didn't see Portman on her character. It is not that it does not suite her and that she was not good but it just didn't fit her. She did not do much in the film too, so far.

That's just me and I hope you take my word for it because it really is a great movie.

Maundy Thursday

Early today the family left for the house and celebrate the solemnity of Maundy Thursday by practicing Via Crucis or the Ways of the Cross. Via Crucis follows the events in Jesus' life beginning from The Last Supper towards his burial.

Below are the churches around Manila area where we visited. A lot of them are absolutely old but remain great in interior.

Senior Year: Review

Senior Year by Jerrold Tarog is definitely one of my favorite Filipino movies. A story that reconstructs the beginning of change, by choice or by force, from the 4 months of graduation of high school seniors. Taken from different vantage points of different characters, which I assume originated from high school stereotypes. With a mix of humor, drama, wit and grit Senior Year could send one into nostalgia of their high school memories. Familiar faces of Che Ramos, LJ Moreno, RJ Ledesma, Ina Feleo, Arnold Reyes, Dimples Romana and Ramon Bautista together with new faces of Aaron Balana, Celina Peñaflorida, Rossanne de Boda, Eric Marquez, Nikita Conwi, Mary Lojo, Daniel LUmain, Sheila Bulanhagui
Francez Bunda and Daniel Medrana made the film more at home as they acted in great accordance to their characters. Johnoy Danao's songs that were featured also added quality to the film, fitting the atmosphere and drama of high school life. Kudos to Jerrold Tarog and his companions to a job well done.

Check their website and facebook page for more information.

Franco smokes down Manresa

Even though they arrived late, Franco was still able to rock Manresa School's gymnasium out. The crowd was lame as they just stood idle there. I'm not even sure why they are there. These kids might not even know the band but instead the individuals. They react only when the song is familiar or when one of the members approaches them. They act like pervs yearning for touch it's creepy. Anyway, I enjoyed the night as they performed great. I hope that the next time I get to see them, and I do hope I get to, is in a much better crowd who knows the music.

Battle of the bands

Gabby Alipe and Franco Reyes

Gabby Alipe and Paolo Toleran

Franco Reyes

Gabby Alipe

Buwi Meneses

Paolo Toleran

JanJan Mendoza

Tagaytay Friday!

Last Friday, we went to Tagaytay. Initially it was to fetch mother from her work as she spent nights there attending a seminar. We arrived there with the seminar still on going so we just decided to spend time in People's Park.

A new boyband on the rise

We had time to hit that zip-line in People's Park. It was great but too short.

It was really cold down there and I didn't bring anything to protect me from it. I currently have the colds.

Philippines 2nd PyroMusical

Ystal(Ging's niece), Ging(my girlfriend) and moi (handsome) (L-R)

Last February 19, I spent the evening with these two lovely girls, Ging and our "daughter" Ystal. We went to watch the PyroMusical competition happening in Mall Of Asia. I was able to get tickets in the VIP section and without regret we did enjoy it.

The participants for that day were Portugal and UK. Each had their plus sides but we greatly favored the presentation made by UK. We found it more colorful and creative as to Portugal was quite plain. The plus side on Portugal's presentation was how they utilized the water. You have to see it for yourself to enjoy it really. UK presented different shapes of fireworks, such as one bursting into a smiley.

You don't have to point out the blurry quality of my pictures because... I intended that to force you to see it for yourself okay.

The hassle happened when we were going home as the show has ended. There were too many cars, too many people commuting, it was stress. 

It is suggested to watch it still but plan ahead of time on how to get home.

Rak en Rol: ISKWATERPANGK

Of all documentaries narrating every day life in the slums, “Iskwaterpangk” enters this genre with a whole new style. Shot within the duration of a single day, this film comprising an approximate of one hour, heavily illustrates everyday life of people, mostly children, in the slums. Captured in grey-scale to grasp the simplicity and to illustrate difference in perspective; our and theirs. With audio from the music of The Brockas nothing much is heard from the whole movie. Your ears will demand for conversation but its absence will strongly enforce your observation on the humility of the people. 


Despite how great I find this movie is, I also found it hard to watch. It took me patience and some adjusting to the unusual style. It isn't for those who are easily bored and uninterested in the story.