When are we going to take in constructive criticisms?

In an open letter, a Singaporean, veiled under the name "H" voiced out his/her sentiment on the rowdiness of Filipino maids. And of course, we took it as offensive and racist. (news from Manila Bulletin)

In context, the herds of Filipino maids were taking the Sunday Bus to Lucky Plaza mall, where many Pinoy restaurants and stores are located. Apparently, the "Philipinos" (as H would spell it) were laughing and talking loudly as if they rented the bus.

While we may have been internationally known as one of the happiest people in the world, we sometimes, or many times, forget to consider the feelings of our neighbors. In our local MRT/LRT stations, it is a usual and annoying sight and experience whenever a group of female passengers would also talk boisterously, regardless if the cabin is crowded or not. Naive that the noise adds to more alinsangan (humidity).

It all boils down to sensitivity and respect.

We have to know that Singaporeans like privacy. They are quiet in nature and impose strict rules. When I was in the Lion City taking a bus to Vivo city where a handful of Singaporeans were already seated, I motion a male Singaporean to move closer to the left, I saw that I could still sit in the space. But he gave in his seat to let me rest. It was nice. The train was serene, quiet... no pushing or shoving unlike in our own train stations. Apparently, H is also taking offense on the way Filipino maids push one another to board the bus.

In H's defense he or she was not pinning down on the Filipinos as a people or race, but on some of their insensitive ways. Just as it is impolite to take or make calls in Japan cabins, Singaporeans also take offense when their privacy is invaded. I think anyone, of any age, gender, or nation, will also have the same sentiment.

No Read No Write

Living in the province sans decent book shops—or those that sell books and not school materials—was  a challenge to any growing bookworm, but it did not make me falter. A two-hour trip to Manila meant book hunting for me.  I remember collecting Sabrina the Teenage Witch series when I was still younger, when I was six years old, when I was still in grade school. To read more novels, my friends and I would trade books and that started my now growing collection of reading materials: fiction, non-fiction, magazine, comics, coffee table book.

from my Goodreads account

Perhaps, my first “legitimate” reading material was Nicholas Sparks’ “A Walk to Remember”, back when I was still in Grade 5. By legitimate I meant more texts and lesser or no photos. I’ve seemingly outgrown Barbie, Sabrina, Alice, and Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen. Spark’s novels were my favorite subjects for our book review projects.

However, my high school days were not as prolific as it should have been. I’ve never read the indispensable classics like Victor Hugo’s Les Miserable, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Scarlet Letter, or Louisa Alcott’s Little Women. Our class, unfortunately, was more focused with Science and Math. So it’s only now that I’m starting to read them slowly, carefully. 

Aside from turning the pages and watching myself transported to different worlds, different eras, and different time, I am carefully scrutinizing how each word was weaved to make smooth and beautiful sentences and how these coherent thoughts made up a story.

Reading and writing come hand in hand. I like reading but I must admit that my writing still needs improvement good thing I got a lifetime dedicated to reading.  

The Book Thief Review: The ugliness and Beauty of Humans

“A DEFINITION NOT FOUND

IN THE DICTIONARY
Not leaving: an act of trust and love,
often deciphered by children.” –Death

“The consequence of this is that I'm always finding humans at their best and worst. I see their ugly and their beauty, and I wonder how the same thing can be both.” –Death

“I wanted to explain that I am constantly overestimating and underestimating the human race - that rarely do I even simply estimate it. I wanted to ask her how the same thing could be so ugly and so glorious, and its words and stories so damning and brilliant...I AM HAUNTED BY HUMANS.” –Death

Powerfully narrated by Death, the Book Thief movie (based on the bestselling novel of the same title), is a heartfelt testament of the strength and courage of the human spirit and the power and beauty of the written words in the foreground of the horrors of the World War II.

The Book Thief tells the story of young Liesel  Meminger who was set to live with new parents after her communist mother and brother died. On the funeral of her beloved, she found a book and kept it. Though she does not know how to read and write yet, she has fallen in love with the written words instantly. Her new papa, Hans, becomes her new teacher. They both enjoyed reading, writing, and the eloquence both skills gave them. Liesel’s beautiful love affair with the written words—despite the war, burning of books, raids, famine, and death—has proven her audacity. She has learned to steal (or “borrow” as she would put it) books.

“You can’t eat books, sweetheart,” says Rudy Steiner, her childhood best friend, but no one and nothing can stop the Book Thief.   

Each character portrayed a strong rendition through a vividly explained context (Nazi Germany). The movie was melancholic, preaching without imposing, riveting. Like the many WWII-themed books and movies (Bernard Schlink’ The Reader, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Pianists, and The Schindler’s List), the Book Thief is a story you won’t soon forget. But perhaps what makes the movie exceptional is it anchors on the children. The children—playful, ambitious, innocent—are its main characters and target audience.

I haven’t read Markus Zusak’s original bestselling novel yet but I heard it was beautifully written, the prose sings. The imagery, clear.

I love movies/novels set in World War because it relieves our painful history, the errors of mankind, which teaches us not to repeat history.

rating: 5/5 

Annyeong Gyeonggi-do! Korean tourism spotlights the “Best in the Far East”

By Nickky Faustine P. de Guzman

For the Filipino travelers who want to cross out Korea, particularly the capital city Seoul in their must-visit bucket list, the New Year signals a new perspective in their itinerary options.

The Korea Travel Organization (KTO) formally introduces the Gyeonggi-do province as its newest offering in the recently concluded awarding ceremony, which recognized the airlines and travel agents who have supported the growing enthusiasm of Filipino travelers in going to Korea.

Gyeonggi-do, dubbed as the “Best in the Far East”, sits right in the middle of the Korean peninsula. It surrounds the capital city Seoul hence visiting it would not be a hassle. But what makes the province a destination itself is its vast and diverse attractions for travelers with different agenda.

According to Gyeonggi Tourism Organization (GTO) Assistant Manager Oh, Jung Chul, the province may not have the sophisticated subway system yet like in Seoul but this should not hinder travelers in exploring the province that means “the outer land of kingdom’s capital”.

So what are the major tourist attractions in Gyeonggi?

For the kids and young at heart:

The theme park Everland is perhaps the best bet for family vacationers. It is one of the four major theme parks in the world known for its complex attractions including the Magic Land where Aesop’s fable is and the Carribbean Bay, which is an indoor water park with artificial wave, indoor spa and sauna among others.  It is also the longest pool in the world with flowing water.

For the culture and history enthusiasts:

The UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Suwon Hwaseong Fortress is one of Korea’s best known cultural assets of the 18^th century. The majestic bastion with its four gates and 50 annexes lets tourists experience the Asian and Western military fortifications. The fortress is majestic that at least three hours is needed to complete the tour. 

The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is a must-visit for tourists who want to get a glimpse of the isolated North Korea. There is the Dora Observatory where you can get the closest peep at NoKor and the Imjingak park, where you can watch a video of the current status, household items, and pictures of North Korea. Approximately 2.5 million tourists visit the place annually.

For the shopping slaves and beauty buffs:

The Simon Premium Outlets in Paju has an armada of 220 designer labels like Michael Kors, Hugo Boss, Escada, and Tory Burch among others. The Outlet offers up to 60% sale all year round. Fifteen minutes away from the shopping outlet is the Skin Anniversary Beauty Town. Know and experience the secrets of Korean’s flawless skin and enjoy face skin care tips, free makeup sessions, 3D trick art, and beauty tours. The immense aesthetic zone can accommodate 300 customers simultaneously.

For K-drama lovers:

Take your picture at the set of your favorite Korean telenovelas like the Moon That Embraces the Sun, Queen Seondeok, Dongyi, and Dae Jang Geum. The Yongin MBC Dramia is a total studio set build based on historical truths that is often used for movie and other media productions.

Aside from these, the Gyeonggi-do province also offers other new attractions like the DIY wild grape farm, Korea Comic Museum, Korean Folk Village, and Lotte Premium Outlet, and Garden of Morning Calm among others.

Couples who Travel: AirAsia Zest celebrates Valentine’s Day with free seats

Text By Nickky Faustine P. de Guzman

Photography by Jacqueline Hernandez

Love is in the air for couples Carmen and Roman del Rosario. It’s in the hush of the trees, in the rumbling of the sea… and literally, in free airplane seats.  The lovebirds are flying to Davao, their domestic destination of choice, to spend their post Valentine date and 44^th wedding anniversary after winning free seats and exclusive treats in AirAsia Zest’s #LoveisintheAir promo.

They may be well-travelled here and abroad yet their domestic destination to Davao will perhaps be their most unforgettable adventure yet.  After all, it is a gift from their daughter Christine, who decided to submit their photo in the social media contest.

The winning photograph courtesy of Christine del Rosario

 “I decided to make them their own Twitter account and post their lovely pictures together so that they can join the contest. I want them to celebrate Valentine’s and their wedding anniversary in a tourist destination, where they will surely get to rest and enjoy each other’s company,” Christine said.

Their winning photo is one of their recent trips in Hong Kong where they enjoyed their visit in Disneyland and posted with Mickey and Minnie Mouse. The #LoveisintheAir promo was launched last January 27 to February 7 as a hashtag contest where couples, pairs, partners, or duos may win free trips by sharing and posting their best photo together through Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

“Mr. Carmen and Roman del Rosario are our top couple winners because they prove that you can still discover new adventures and places even if you are already in the prime of your age,” AirAsia Philippines CEO Maan Hontiveros said.

Carmen, 62, and Roman, 69, are one of the 90 lucky pairs who won two free seats to any domestic destination. It is a Valentine’s treat from AirAsia Zest, the low cost carrier that flies hand in hand with AirAsia, which is voted as the World’s Best Low Cost Carrier for five consecutive years.

“We’ve selected winners from over 2,000 entries, whose love story touched our hearts. We got kids who wanted us to fly their parents and grandparents who’ve never travelled by air, a son wanted to travel with his foster mom and couples excited to fly to their romantic getaways. Their stories represent AirAsia’s dream of making everyone fly through our affordable fares and extensive network,” Hontiveros said.

Meanwhile, in aid of boosting tourism and igniting one’s passion for travelling, AirAsia Zest is currently offering 20% discounted promo seats to all domestic and international flights with travel period from February 17 to May 18, 2014.

AirAsia Zest serves domestic destinations to Boracay, Puerto Princesa, Cebu, Davao, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, and Cagayan de Oro. Its international points meanwhile include China and South Korea.

For more exciting destinations, bookings, and promos, you may visit www.airasia.com, facebook.com/airasiaphilippines and twitter.com/airasiaph.

On prito, palate, and palace: Solaire's Red Lantern bid versatile Cantonese cuisines

What makes a restaurant friendly its ability to adapt with the penchants of its patrons. In this case, Solaire’s Red Lantern is trying to achieve a fusion perfect for the Filipino and Chinese taste buds.

Chinese Executive Chef Chan Yiu So’s culinary philosophy banks on “focus, great love for food, innovativeness, and listening to and learning from guests.” Justly, he pays attention to his Filipino customers who crave for anything deep fried, “Filipinos in general, like fried food, which is the opposite of Cantonese food that focuses on dim sum and steamed dishes. Cantonese foods are sauted, boiled, or mixed with milk, which is very healthy,” he says.

And so what he served were myriad of fried, golden brown food fares: Deep Fried Black Cod in ‘Bei Fung Tong Style’, Deep Fried Shrimp Balls with Cheese and Diced Bread, Deep Fried Shrimp in Bean Curd Rolls with Jackfruit, Deep Fried Prawn and Cuttlefish with Almond Flakes and Thyme along with some dim sum buffet.

Each fried dish is nestled on deep fried noodles that serve as a drainer for the excess oil drippings. The plating is matched with greeneries on the side, which add color to the otherwise monochromatic gastronomy. Every cuisine is served in customized plates with intricate designs of red lanterns and what seem to be black laced vines and trees.

The pan-fried seafood fares exhibit the right amount of crunch, salt, and sweet flavors however, despite the deep fried noodle-drainers, most of them tend to be oily, which is the common downside of deep frying. The Deep Fried Prawn and Cuttlefish with Almond Flakes and Thyme, thanks to the almond bits that absorbs extra grease, has a surprising texture owing to the fried prawns and cuttlefishes.

The dishes exude aromatic scents that seemingly go well with the smell of elegance and luxury of Solaire Resort and Casino, where the Red Lantern is located. The 240-seater Chinese restaurant boasts authentic and opulent marbles, paintings, and furniture. Its edifice smells of style, extravagance, and a seamless time travel to a palace in Guangzhou, China.

And to China our taste buds went upon devouring on the succulent and fresh dim sum plates of Barbecue Pork Rice Roll, Braised “Pi Pa” Tofu and Shimeji Mushroom Caserole, Oven Baked Egg Tartlets, Cabbage Roll with Seasonal Vegetables, Squid ink Dumplings with Scallops, and Steamed Custard Buns. The dim sum buffet bids refreshing options; a far cry from the greasiness of the deep fried seafood fares served earlier.

The wide array of dim sums—tofu, mushroom, baked egg, squid and scallop dumplings—are steamed to perfection and flawlessly go well with a hot cup of tea or coffee, which wraps up our Cantonese gastronomic adventure.

Chef Chan’s shares that half of the ingredients used in most of the menus including special sauces, abalones, and fishes come from Hong Kong and Singapore while the remaining add-ons are from the local markets.

Red Lantern’s unlimited dim sum buffet is open on weekdays (11:30- 2:00 p.m.) and weekends (10:30- 4:00 p.m.).

Photos by: Noel Pabalate

  

Celadon: Unordinary Yet Familiar Dining

Despite the spot-on differences of Filipino and Thai cultures, the adventurous Filipino foodies find home in Thai plates. Both cuisines share the same sentiment on the seamless fusion of the fundamental tastes: sweet, sour, bitter, and salty. Perhaps, what makes Thai cuisines palatable to Pinoys is the innate inclination toward spicy and strong aromatic flavors of the food.

Celadon's Executive Chef Cheryl Pineda

“Thai cuisine is all about the marrying of the four flavors of being spicy, salty, sour, and sweet. Para kang kinikiliti. The aroma in Thai cuisine is very much present so naaamoy mo na agad, then it excites you to taste the food and eat,” Celadon’s Executive Chef Cheryl Pineda says. 

Celadon in Powerplant Mall is the sole Thai restaurant in the area, which is a perfect go-to bistro for those who crave something out of the ordinary yet familiar at the same time. Celadon boasts of more than a hundred contemporary Thai dishes including its signature dish, the Dungeness Crab, Crispy Whole Catfish in Red Curry Sauce, Grilled Squid Pomelo Salad, and their homegrown ice cream concoctions in coconut, durian, and mango flavors. 

The Pork Pineapple in Yellow Curry

The Thai dish, Pork Pineapple in Yellow Curry, sold us out the moment it was served on the table in a small fire pot. It was teeming in coconut milk, pineapples, and chunks of pork meat; perfect with a cup of hot rice. This plate is reminiscent of our own Pininyahang Manok.

The Pork Pineapple in Yellow Curry may have been wiped out seconds after the waiter put it on our table, but the Prawn Cakes with Sweet Chili Sauce offers an alternative distinct taste that perfectly complements the curry. The prawn cakes are crisp and fried until golden brown.

What’s notable with Celadon is its simple yet elegant manner of presenting its dishes, which is logical since a foodie is after the tastes and the celebration of the senses more than the beautifully-crafted plating. But admittedly, decent plating lures the hungry tummy. And the presentation of the ever-popular Phad Thai noodles will never pale in comparison against its contemporaries. The intricately-woven egg strips carefully blanket the stir fried noodles. It’s just so beautifully done that you’ll regret reshuffling its plating. Its preparation is very Instagram-friendly and so does its taste.

While Phad Thai remains to be the household name of Thai cuisine, another dish is slowly making its name because of its healthy concoction of chicken, vegetables, and lotus roots. The dish is spicy, sweet and with clever combination of textures.

Phad Thai needs no introduction!

“The acceptability of Thai cuisine among Filipinos is much bigger now unlike before that when you say Thai, it’s supposed to be spicy. The cuisine infuses elements of being sweet, spicy, sour, or salty that is also present in the Filipino cuisine. Sa Thai food nga lang dapat nandoon ang lahat ng elements kahit sa salad or soup,” says Pineda. 

Staying true to its name, the ceramics used in the restaurant are the authentic Thai celadon from Lampang, Thailand. Celadon is a famous high-fired emerald ceramic handcrafted and baked the traditional way. The celadon wares have long been given as a high value token of friendship among the nobility. In addition, having foods served in celadon plates signify royalty, which is how the customers should feel.

The coconut ice cream dessert in two scoops sprinkled with coconut flesh caps off our Thai cuisine adventure. The simple and refreshing dessert harmonizes with the seemingly tropical and invigorating ambiance of Celadon.

Celadon is located at Rockwell Powerplant Mall in Makati. For reservations, call 898-1305.

-30-

Photography by Noel Pabalate 

Go Loco and Mad for Garlic!

Garlic is one of the most common ingredients for condiments and seasonings because of its pungent flavor. A newly opened franchised-restaurant, Mad for Garlic, tries to maximize its uses to come up with wide array of clever and bizarre dishes that bid refreshing menu options for food lovers and daredevils alike.

Bulbs of garlic everywhere!

This Italian wine bistro in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig is originally from Korea. “Our Korean partner loved Italian food. She realized that people in Korea really loved garlic as well, which is a main ingredient in Italian cuisine. So with that in mind, she and her team created this wonderful concept of Mad for Garlic. One will find that Italian dishes served here not only stand out because of garlic, but because they are uniquely flavored,” says Global Restaurant Concepts Inc. President and CEO Archie Rodriguez.

Surprisingly, the two-story bistro smells nothing but the strong flavor of garlic. Also, the addiction for the omnipresent ingredient has rubbed off even to the minute details of its design. The garlic garlands in the corners and cute garlic bulb-shaped lamps add quirk accents to the cozy interior.

Their bestsellers include the Garlic Snowing Pizza, which is a thin crust made with special sauce and topped with shrimps, diced pineapples, and sliced garlic. It is big enough for a barkada of five. The pizza looks innocent but the concoction of mild and sweet flavors of garlic and pineapple gives a surprising and winning combination. Another unexpected bestseller is the Gorgonzola Pizza, which is a weird combination of honey and gorgonzola cheese. The weird fusion of pizza bread and honey is shocking but the taste of the seemingly incompatible hodgepodge of ingredients eventually grows on you.

The Garlic Sprinkle Gelato icecream

Even the dessert is not spared with garlic, the Garlic Sprinkle Gelato is vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup, topped with garlic bits, and served with garlic cookie on top. The garlicky and pungent flavor comes as an aftertaste, which is strange, but the garlic bits and cookie can be removed, anyway. This ingenious fusion is recommended for food daredevils who crave for something clever and bizarre.

Other garlic-infused dishes include starters like the Dracula Killer, which is an entrée of soft, buttered garlic bread with cooked garlic cloves in olive oil and anchovies. Another dish that is heavy enough to be the main course is the Zuppa di Pesce, which is a special spicy soup with shrimps, scallops, and mussels served with of course, garlic bread sticks on the side.

For starters, try the Dracula Killer

Then there’s the array of pasta like the Crab and Lobster, which as the name implies, has generous servings of sea food meat in garlic cream sauce. Just imagine Spaghetti Carbonara with seafood and you’ll get the exact taste of the Crab and Lobster Pasta. Good thing, the slather of garlic cream sauce is neither too thick nor overwhelming. 

A candy or two comes handy at the end of this surprising and fulfilling meal experience.  

Mad for Garlic is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and Sunday, and 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. from Friday to Saturday.

-30-

Photography by Charie Villegas

Hi 2014

As we bid goodbye to 2013, it’s perhaps also time to finally let go of some things that make the year colorful and unique on its own. Here are some of the things I wish we won’t be seeing in the Year of the Horse:

Printed leggings: Those cheap printed fitted pants that come in kitschy designs, cuts, texture, and colors sold cheap in the market thus, making fashion victims fall for these prey. Not only do they hug every bulge of your body but they emphasis how big your thighs are. While they may look good for the lucky ones who can get away with anything, but then again not everyone has the physique of a model (read: thigh gap).

Besides the printed pants, can we please also ditch the:

studded stuff (pants, blouse, bag)

jeje caps

wedge sneakers

 thin, fine line eyebrows

“’Pag may time” (If there’s time):  Selfie-selfie pag may time, kain pag may time, tulog pag may time... Puhlease let’s not use this overused line again!

Selfie + quote combination: I cannot understand why some post selfies of themselves with a bathroom as their backdrop, but what I cannot fathom the more is they put inspiring quotes to go with their photo.

If you’re a constant Instagram user, you’ve probably seen IG users comment or like on someone’s post and mention that they are the first likers and commenters. What’s that all about?!

I doubt if we can totally let go of some of these fashion faux pas and practices but can we please use them sparingly.