Dessert at UCC Terrace

Oreo Cheesecake Bar @ UCC Terrace
Robinson's Place, Ermita

After having dinner at secret recipe, my bestfriend and I had coffee and desserts at UCC.

I’ve forgotten how terribly overpriced this place is! My bestfriend clucked at me --- next time, we should stick to Figaro, she said. We should go for Pinoy brands...

Just as she was about to launch into her verbal tirades, a couple who must be in their 70s passed by our window --- both of us followed them with our eyes and sighed.

That's how we shifted from lamenting about overpriced desserts to lamenting about the poor state of our (nonexistent) love life.

Teehee!

Details:

UCC Terrace
Ground Level, Robinson's Place
Pedro Gil cor. Adriatico St., Ermita

Manila, Metro Manila

Secret Dinner at Secret Recipe

Tom Yum @ Secret Recipe
Robinson's Place Ermita

I’m supposed to go to work tonight, but I found myself sending a sick leave advice at the office and heading to Robinson’s Place Ermita to meet with my best friend.

Great decision, by the way. This Tom Yum is just the perfect scale of spiciness. I asked them to remove the meat, so no unwanted strips of chicken floating around. I’m definitely ordering this again. ^_^

Who would choose to spend another boring night in the office when you could enjoy this dish with a friend? Really?

Details

Secret Recipe, Robinson's Place Midtown

4/F Midtown Wing Robinson's, Ermita
Manila, Metro Manila
(02) 567-2042

Vegetarian Dumplings at Dong Bei

Vegetarian Dumplings at Dong Bei
Yuchengo St., Binondo

I had a sudden craving for vegetarian dumplings. I went at Dong Bei about a year ago with my  friends, but, with every step we took, my attention was more focused on my growling tummy than the way we were heading. So I looked up its address and off, I went! I figured, well, I got to a few places by myself. I’m sure Binondo won't be a problem! Sure enough, after several minutes of walking around, and 2 directions from friendly policemen, I found the place!

They didn’t have cooked vegetarian dumplings, so I bought frozen ones and cooked them at home. Well, they’re good! But I bet they’re better if I ate them at the resto itself.

I forgot about the binondo horses, though. I’m really, really afraid of horses. I had to cross the street whenever i see a horse on the side of the street where i was walking!! Yup, "courage is not the absence of fear, but the judgement that something else is more important than fear” --- like food, or the need to feel I’ll be okay…even if I’m alone…

Details:

Dong Bei
642 Yuchengco St., Manila
(Coming from Sta. Cruz Church, walk along Ongpin St. Turn right on Yuchengco St.)

@ Pole Dancing Class

while working on my turns, lifts, inversions and transitions yesterday at pole dancing class, i couldn’t help but to think of this song.

potential first performance written all over it!!

heavy guitar riffs, sexy beat…chorus is wicked, perfect part to show off…

will probably just use the first 3 min and a half of the song…

CareDivas --- Oy vey!

Care Divas --- heartwarming story, extremely hilarious lines and whimsically superb performances from all 5 actors (Shai, the leader; Chelsea, the optimist; Kayla, the macho deportee; Thalia, the flirt; and Jonee, the pessimist), brilliantly original songs (music by multi-award winner Vincent de Jesus; the songs are reminiscent to Fiddler on the Roof and Yentl, but still has touches of pinoy and yes, gay humor); this musical is another laurel wreath to Philippine Theater.

Care Divas
PETA Theater, Sunnyside Drive, Quezon City

The play touches on a number of social issues --- homosexuality, Filipino workers abroad, migration, interracial love affair, Palestinian uprising against israel, social acceptance. To try to squeeze in this many issues in one musical is actually a dangerous and a recipe to a confusing, heavy and out of focus storyline, but the seriousness and gravity of its conflicts are in direct contrast with its execution!

And no, this is not just another gay play nor a romanticized comedy gay bar performance. By the end of the 2-hour and 15 minute show, I laughed so hard until I almost cried and my hands were stinging for clapping too hard.

Care Divas' Casts

I'm really, really glad to have been able to catch the show before it wraps up tomorrow. Next week, it’s Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzikal naman!



Pole Dancing Again

Pole Dancing Class, Ortigas Center

I just came from a 2-hour dance class. After taking hiatus from dancing, I was just so eager and really, really happy to be back again!

I forgot how painful it is to take pole dancing class, though. My thighs burn! I had to rush off to Quezon city to catch Care Divas at PETA Theater after the class. Before hailing a cab, I got my Iced Coffee and I had it placed in between my thighs for the entire ride. Still, it is just exhilarating to be engaged in something that makes you feel so alive.

So, I'll try another pole dancing school soon, Pole Academy Philippines at the Arts in the City, The Fort. Last year's champion in the Pole Dancing Competition, Eisa Jocson, is one of the instructors and the Managing Director here. My only problem is that they don't have their own studio at the moment. They could change locations and I might not be able to attend classes if that would happen. But anyways, I'll cross the bridge when I get there. After I've tried all the studios that offer classes, I'll sign up for long-term membership.

Yup, I'm serious about this. If my career in Oracle HRIS reaches a dead-end, it comforts me that I have other work options. Teehee!

Japan and Canada: 2nd Philippine International Pyromusical Competition 2011

My friend and I were supposed to watch Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah this afternoon. We were hopscotching towards CCP Little Theater...only to find out that all shows are cancelled. A fire broke out that morning; the whole building was shut down! G-R-E-A-T.

So we found ourselves at SM Mall of Asia instead, to watch the 4th Saturday of Philippine International Pyromusical Competition. Tonight, Japan and Canada are scheduled to light up the sky with their amazing display of pyrotechnics.

It was drizzling for most of the afternoon so I insisted on getting seats near the cover. We made our reservations at Seattle's Best Coffee, where for Php400 each, we got a medium-sized drink, a pastry and a bag of chips. Not bad, eh?

After much delays, and more rain, Japan was first to dazzle the audience. And dazzle they certainly did!



Japan: 2nd Philippine International Pyromusical

Competition



Japan used a couple of jazzy songs that didn't quite
fit well with their fireworks, but they quickly picked up..

...and made a whimsical turn --- they used themes from

super mario, james bond, and addams' family!

 



At some point, their fireworks display showed smiley face
and hello kitty, much to the amusement of the cheering
crowd.



They used smaller and repetitive fireworks but they phased
it so well that the whole display came out alive and
not boring at all -- very cleverly executed!



Japan's interpretation of Louis Armstrong's What a
Wonderful World



An amazing finish that left the audience begging

for more!

And then, it's Canada's turn ---

Canada decided to use classical, instrumental music

They also used bigger fireworks compared with Japan.

But at some point, the repetitive display of big fireworks
became old.

The instrumental music, together with predominantly
gold-colored fireworks made us think of wedding
fireworks display.

And it was much too short...

Needless to say, we enjoyed Japan's display better.

Wonder what will happen next week --- the finale!!!