If - Livin' a Curious Life

if you are, you breath
if you breath, you talk
if you talk, you ask
if you ask, you think
if you think, you search
if you search, you experience
if you experience, you learn
if you learn, you grow
if you grow, you wish
if you wish, you find
if you find, you doubt
if you doubt, you question
if you question, you understand
And if you understand, you know
if you know you want to know more
And if you want to know more, you are alive!


Vibrant

"....NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2010 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month.  I call upon all Americans to observe this month by fighting prejudice and discrimination in their own lives and everywhere it exists......." (source)


Better late than never. I would like to extend my greetings to all Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgenders. (PFLAG) Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbian and Gays, y'all are the vibrant colors of our universe!




Il Pirata Ristorante Italiano, Eastwood City



It was last Sunday when we went at Il Pirata in Eastwood City to celebrate blog ni ako 's 14th birthday. Posting foods on our blogs are prohibited except for her (of course it's her birthday! and she paid for it). What I'm going to show y'all is the magnificent, spectacular interior of the restaurant.


Il Pirata is a unique Italian grill and restaurant incorporating the different cultures and flavors of Italy. According to their website, their mission is "to bring to the community new Italian dishes that step beyond the bounds of the conventional Italian menu (mainly more towards Italian seafood, which is why we chose to name the establishment Il Pirata or the Pirate) and to provide our customers with a place where they can enjoy and relax"

I love this carefully carved vintage clock. 



The restaurant's interior offers a unique experience for guests and they'll  be remembering this restaurant designs. The wall and ceilings were decorated using element made from unique pieces of Italian designs.





the ceiling

Italian mirror

 gaby, ate tess and me.

 and the gang!




At the back of the restaurant is their ship al fresco dinning area.






The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf - Saying hello to the world-class coffees


Saying hello to the world-class coffees after celebrating sissy's birthday at Il Pirata in Eastwood City (will be featured next) is a must after a heavy, unsatisfied, disappointing but expensive meal. We went to Trinoma branch but to have a dose of it forgetting our original plan to watch Karate Kid. What happened was,  we arrived at 7 pm but the next feature will be at 10 pm. Its a long gap. My disappointment leads to suggest to Trinoma's Cinema to have an online ticket available during this difficult times (difficult times? ha ha ha!). No, kidding aside, the world is changing and they should match our demands in the most accessible ways. huh!

With bloated stomachs and  peachy's obssession with coffee, we went down to 2nd floor to get some coffee or tea at Coffee Bean. We ended up, getting more food because Peachy was unsatisfied (aside from the fact that she is sooo generous that day) with what we had....


we had 2 regular ultimate Mocha (Php 310.00), 1 regular iced white chocolate dream (Php 130.00) 1 regular pure double chocolate (Php 135.00)


chilled spice chicken pasta (Php 169.00)


1 pn roast beef sandwich (Php 269.00)


A slice of blueberry cheesecake (Php 135.00)


plus, 12 % VAT, total is Php 1,148.00

Coffee is often consumed alongside (or instead of) breakfast by many at home. It is also often served after a meal, often with an after-dinner mint, in a restaurant or dinner party. Coffee,  As one of the most popular beverages on the planet with wide variety of Finest offerings of coffee and eats, is certainly at The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf - Trinoma

Staying up at the cozy, comfortable couch, sharing gossips and laughters while ykai is making "pabibo" at the nearby table, havin good times is S-a-t-i-s-f-a-c-t-i-o-n.





Nothing would satisfy me today but the existence and love of this kiddo! Happy birtdey ykai!! oooopppssss nanay anney pala! ha ha ha!!!!

BARAGATAN SA PALAWAN 2010 - Amos mga Tangay!

I don't  know when I'll be coming back home. So I dream  everything about that moment....... 

I don't wanna wake up on this dream of snorkeling in Honda Bay islands' reef or aNother rare opportunity at Crocodile Farm and Nature Parkto see crocodiles at every stage of their development, basking in the sun, swimming in the pools or just watching your every move. Cruising along the stretch  of Underground River, a beautiful lagoon teeming with fish marks outside of the river’s mouth and entrance to a pitch dark world beneath the rugged limestone and marble cliffs. Taking a dip in the natural pool Balsahan River,  a clean water from mountain springs and the unspoilt natural beauty you cannot help but admire.

Reminiscing the sisig and the exotic tamilok at Kinabutch. Chowlong and french bread at Vietnamese Village after a drinking session. Sumptuous dinner at Ka Lui or savoring fresh seafoods at Badjao Seafront After a long stroll in the Capitol, Medoza Park and Puerto Princesa Wharf. The rhythms of Bulyaw Mariguen and the art of Sinika. The romantic piano bar of Hotel Fleuris. Breakfast at Bakers Hill After watching sunrise at Mitra's Ranch. I won't forget ate Ellen's (of Ellen's travel) treat us tuna al pesto at Gardini Dang Maria's Cafe (I heard it was closed already, why oh why?) or pizza at Neva's Place. Immersing myself in local art amidst a warm and cozy setting while having a cup of cappuccino at Kamarikutan. Nido soup at Balinsasayaw, Grilled chicken at Chicken Inato or sharing gossip with josh at Cafe Arturo to fill the gaps between.....

I asked myself, When you left everything and everyone behind. Where do you call home? 

Implies a casual often nostalgic recalling of experiences long past and gone I realized, I am missing Puerto Princesa and my province of Palawan. I remember that every month of June, we are celebrating our biggest festival, Baragatan sa Palawan.

(pictures courtesy of kuya albert balmonte) 

 Baragatan which is derived from the Cuyonon word, bagat, which means “to meet,” is a gathering of people, culture, traditions and resources celebrating the beauty and bounty of the province. It is a grand celebration where one can experience Palawan under one roof, so to speak. It is a festival of Palawan’s natural and cultural heritage showcasing the beauty and bounty of the province in its people, agricultural crops, arts and crafts, tourism destinations, and environment. Baragatan will culminate with the much-awaited SAraotan sa Dalan or streetdancing competition on June 27 and the Search for Mutya ng Palawan with the talent night on June 28 and the coronation night on June 30.The grand opening of the festival is on June 21 featuring the colorful Float Parade, Pantiguan sa Baragatan. Cuyonon, the predominant culture in Palawan, will be highlighted on June 22 and 23 with the Cuyonon Day and Cuyono Rock respectively. The Cuyonon Day will feature Cuyono music, songs, poetry, dances and delicacies while Cuyonon Rock will showcase modern versions of Cuyono songs and Cuyonon translations of Pinoy Rock. 

On this blog though written in English (ako kaelam da maglemeg 'y ang cuyonon maetey lamang), Im promoting and preserving Cuyono culture  in the world wide web because this is my identity and my heritage and my way of manifesting love for Palawan.
 
Maliag kong tabedan mo ako sa pagdemdem ng kantang dya para sa ateng mga tangay jan s puerto! (correct me if wrong, joey)



Cuyo Balitaw
(Jose and Fe Tria Fernandez)

Sa kapupuroan maambeng
Kung masanag ngani ang bolan
Mga bata ig ma nga malam
Naga parasiar sa pantalan
Ma nga solteros ig daraga
Naga gitara magkaranta kada isara
Mi sara maambeng andang leba

Pagkasanag ngani dayong parakon
Sa oma, magkaingin, magsaripsip
Magpaligid kong mainit,
Maluto ron ngani ang paray sa bukid
Dayon sandang parantek
Maglelebeklebek

Amos kamo mga tangay
Masaraot saot kita nay
Lipatan ta ateng kapilay, magpanari anay
Dading loto ron ang paray, kita magkalipay.
Indi tay panombaien, ateng kabedlay.


Translation:

It’s fun to be in the islands
When the moon is bright
Young and old alike go strolling to the wharf
Young men and women play the guitar and sing.
Everyone is happy.

When morning comes they go to the fields
To cut trees, clean the fields and burn them (aka slash and burn)
When the day is hot (paligid=removing weeds in upland rice fields)
When the grains ripen on the mountain
They harvest them and make pinipig (crispy rice).

Come my friend, let’s dance awhile
Let’s forget our weariness, let’s rest awhile
Now that the rice is ripe let us rejoice!
Let us not mind our efforts.

Liberating Changes - Author's Labyrinth


I am Rome. I belong to a set of people called "young adulthood". Just like the other member of my set, I'm discovering with eyes full of wonder, the thing called LIFE. I delight at its rhythm, swing at its dances, laugh at its funny strokes, marvel at its fast-paced technology. Much have I seen in my long quarter life - things that often times defy reasons and explanation. Yet, what I have seen here from my point of view, is perhaps the strangest of all........

There are people who feel the sense that everyone is, somehow, doing better than them. There are some friends who are bored with their social interactions. There are plenty of  intellectual, articulate beings but have a tendency to hold stronger opinions, insecure to the fact that their actions are meaningless. There are those who are disappointed with their jobs, insecure regarding their present accomplishments and thinks that the pursuits of one's happiness are useless, seeking life at the end of the rainbow.

But there's another version of my generation I encountered, there are those who have the road-map providing answers, there are those who went to college. Those who work blue collar jobs, white collar jobs and self employed.Those with money. Those with relatively few obligations. Those who touches rainbow's colored arc and knows each color's meaning. Those who knows the spectrum of light.

All I wanted was to fly a kite, but the wind has other ideas.

The deep, soul-searching questions that keep me awake at night; the tough, hard-hitting questions that sometimes too afraid to ask even myself; Would there be a hand to guide my hand to reach other hand? Would there be a man who would guide towards a righteous decision?

After last month when I celebrated my birthday, month of regularly beating myself to a mental pulp because I wasn’t living up to my own standards, it was the simplest of facts that jolted me out of my funk: I was normal. When the twentysomething sources unloaded on me their fears, doubts, and uncertainties, I realized that my insecurities were common – and that I therefore wasn’t a freak after all. That was all I needed to know, for now.

(to be continued......) 


Little Tokyo, Japan-ice!

The influential duo of my two cousins dragged me last Sunday at Little Tokyo in Makati to try and savor authentic Japanese cuisine.

It is situated between Arnaiz Avenue (Pasay Road) and Herrera Street (V.A. Rufino). The place was an open courtyard with the seating in the middle and several small restaurants surrounding it. Each restaurant had it's own specialty.



Among the group of Japanese restaurants in Little Tokyo is Choto Stop Snack Bar. I bought Japanese chocolate and Caffe Latte, Php 75.00 each.



 meiji ice cream (Php 75.00) for dessert.

At the back of the grocery store is a  little area that serves as Choto’s restaurant and snack bar. There were only four tables at the snack bar area. The limited menu lists bento meals, cold or hot soba and ramen choices. I chose this bento meal (Php 220.00)




Well all I can say is 日本の食べ物は素晴らしいです!!!!!

Kirin Chinese Dining - Happy Birthday!



Celebrated my birthday with cousins, my niece Ykai, and nephew Kurt. We went to Bonifacio High Street near Serendra. My favorite food is Chinese so I treated them at Kirin Chinese Dining.




It is the only Chinese restaurant in Serendra and Bonifacio High Street area that is worth my one month craving for Braised Pork Knuckles Orin Tagalog, Pata tim. The serving is huge and is good for 8 people.



Kirin, was so pleasing to the eye. When you view it from outside, it seemed like it was hidden behind a glass waterfalls and their sign was splendid and catchy. The interior was pleasant and cozy.

I think most chinese interior design principles are based on Feng Shui, or the ancient tradition of arrangement of space to create a harmonious environment. Take a look at the 21st century interior, do you recognise any Feng Shui?




               
We had  Shanghai Rolls for starters,Hot Prawn and Chicken Salad, Yang Chow Fried Rice and Braised Pork Knuckles.


  

When we went home there were surprises from my sissy's, Thank you!






Oh, I had a blast!
 

ABS-CBN Rainy Season Station ID 2010- Sukob Na (Aiza Seguerra)





Tuwing umuulan ay naaalala tayong dalawa
Kay sarap isipin
Na may kasama sa buhay pag bumaha

Chorus:
Sukob na, halika na
Sabay tayo sa payong ko
Hawak na, kapit pa
Sa payong ko magkasama tayo …



Hinding-hindi ka pababayaan
Na mag-isa sa ulan
Aalagaan, magtatawanan
Wala na ‘tong iwanan …

Chorus 2:
Sukob na, halika na
Sabay tayo sa payong ko
Hawak ka, kapit pa
Umula’t, bumagyo magkasama tayo …

Bridge:
Di ko na inakala pa, na ika’y paparito
Ngunit salamat na lamang
At dumating ka sa buhay ko …
(Repeat chorus 2)


Conti's Pastry Shop & Restaurant - A Pre-Birthday Celebration

May 29 when I began celebrating my pre - 2*th year of existence. As a deep gratitude to people who been part of my previous year, I gotta treat 'em.

I went out with Trixie whom I share a lot of foolishness with and my partner in crime in the office. We've decided to watch The Prince of Persia in Trinoma. First, we secured our ticket before deciding where to treat her while waiting for the movie to start. We have ample of time and  we went at Conti's Pastry Shop and Restaurant, waited 15 minutes because the restaurant was full. Trixie and I had Chicken Ballotine (Php 225.00), meat-stuffed boneless chicken breast rolled in creamy sauce and served with buttered vegetables and garlic rice. Cheese puff for dessert. I had a blast!


Chicken Ballotine (Php 225.00), meat-stuffed boneless chicken breast rolled in creamy sauce and served with buttered vegetables and garlic rice


 Cheese puff for dessert

On our way to the cinema we saw a pleasing dessert shop, "Parvati". At first, I taught it was a gadget shop because the place was bright and clean. When we came in, I didn't see any sweets on display because they're delightfully hidden in a drawer fridge.





Trixie bought me a present....



Thank you so much!