JEEP! JEEP! JEEP!

They don't make them as colorful anymore.

CARLOS CELDRAN

Manila's Pied Piper and Tour Guide Extraordinaire. Manila is so much better with him around. Here touring guests at the "new" Avenida Rizal.

Visit his blogsite here. Tarush!

WINDING DOWN (3/3)

Owing to the terrible humidity, I searched for the Starbucks shop lest I drop to the ground in sheer exhaustion. I know it is hidden somewhere along Calle Muralla, hmmmm...


There it is! Starbucks mirage.


Wonderful blend of the old and new


Looking relieved after a loooong day; Onib's paintings behind me


Such a lovely spot!


One last shot before I go


The former Intendencia building glows eerily in the cold, windy night. Future home of the National Archives.

Goodnight everyone! Until next time!

PLAZA DE ROMA (2/3)

After attending the Mass 6.30 service at the UP Chapel, I went straight to the Walled City, Intramuros, to make a quick visit to His Eminence, the late Jaime Cardinal Sin. This would be my first time to see him!

From UP, I took a jeep to Philcoa where, lucky enough, I was able to get a half-filled FX to Quiapo. Got off at T.M. Kalaw and took a cab to the Manila Cathedral.

A long line was already forming around the Plaza de Roma.

Formerly the site of the Palacio del Gobernador, it now houses the offices of the Intramuros Administration






Details of the main entrance of the Cathedral

The cupola of the Cathedral

The nave and main altar bearing the image of the Immaculada Concepcion, after Miguel Lopez de Legaspi dedicated the city to that title of the Virgin

Why they called it Plaze de Roma is beyond me. I only see the monument to King Carlos IV here.

"Al Rey de Carlos IV en gratito al non beneficio de la vacuna los habitantes de Filipinas."

The Cathedral as seen from Plaza de Roma

CHOCOLATE KISS (1/3)

I always look forward to visiting the Diliman campus of the University of the Philippines. I was supposed to enroll here in 1992 after I passed the UPCAT exam for Political Science but Mom didn't want me to go. Sayang...

At any rate, i'm visiting to discuss matters with Chef Carlo at the nice and cozy Chocolate Kiss. Forgot to take a photo of the place though. Silly me. Next time na po!


The UP main entrance as taken from the cab

Chocolate Kiss, a restaurant located at the First and Second floors of the Bahay Alumni, boasts of a wonderful list of new and familiar culinary creations at very, very reasonable prices. It is said that UP students treat their friends here when they pass their exams or something. Sorry for the photos; taken with a Nokia 6260 (Thanks, CC!).

At the Chocolate Kiss. I love this "wall lamp" behind me! (literally covering an entire wall)

Yummy pizza: Kiss Supreme (Php 160)


Yummy pasta: Hungarian sausages with fresh tomato sauce on penne (Php 160)

It's always a delight to dine here. Looking forward to coming back.

LRT REDUX

As promised, here's Part Two of my photo shoots of my trip from Antipolo back to Manila. Since I'd be on my way to Manila to meet up with a friend, Chef Carlo Cruz of UP Diliman, I had to connect from LRT 2 to the MRT 3 via a long, long walk from Gatewall Mall to Farmer's Plaza.


The Santolan Station of LRT 2. The train parks on that ledge (yikes!)



Exit from Gateway Mall towards Farmer's Plaza via the Coliseum (Sorry, I can't take photos inside the mall)



From Araneta Coliseum to Farmer's Plaza


The famous dome, then the largest in the world when it was completed in 1959. It held that title until 1963 but remains to be the largest covered indoor facility in Southeast ASia; taken from the Cubao Station of the MRT 3


Leaving Cubao now on the Blue Line; railway above is that of LRT 2's; Below, a sample of MMDA's version of the pedestrian overpass


Squatter colonies as train approaches North Avenue Station


Oh wow! Orderly cabs! Impossible! *rubs eyes*


FXs have terminals now?! Galing talaga ni Bayani.


The environs of North EDSA Station. Amzingly clean and orderly but hey! It's a Sunday!

BREATHER

Taking a breather from work. (The Mango Farm, Antipolo)

LRT 2 DELIGHT

Was on my way to The Mango Farm (TMF) in Antipolo today. Had the chance to bring along a camera finally and stole some shots of the new Light Rail Transit Line 2 which runs from Recto in Manila to Santolan in Marikina City, just a somersault away from Rizal Province.

Since taking photos while in the station is not allowed lest I be charged with plans of blowing up the line (looking like a terrorist doesn't help), I took these while nobody was looking (Okay, I actually pretended to be a tourist).


Buendia's first pedestrian overpass, the first of its kind in the entire Metro: all-steel, see-through and probably has the longest span; taken from the Gil Puyat Station of LRT Line 1

The walkway connecting LRT 1's Doroteo Jose to the Carriedo Station of the LRT 2; its modern design clashes easily with its desolate surroundings


The LRT 2 Carriedo Station; I do not really understand why train stations have to be this huge. Takes up so much space.


A view of the Far Eastern University building, one of the last remaining best examples of Art Moderne structures in the Philippines; established in 1928




View of the Marikina River while approaching Santolan Station; a bus terminal is currently being built on this site


Rushing out of the train at Santolan. Despite the sleek design of its stations, this one in particular transforms into a hazardous area when it rains because of its wide-open sides and steep angle of the roof. The train, which is precariously perched on the platform's edge, sways with the strong winds.

Also, take note of the extra-concern for Persons with Disabilities (PWD), one of very few service establishments in the Philippines to comply with Republic Act 7277. In fact, elevators are equipped with Braille-studded buttons and the only lavatories that can be found in the station services only the needs of PWDs. Hay naku!

More on my return trip to Manila.

TIMES LIKE THESE...

...it takes more than Juicy Fruit gum to take away the boredom and chill brought about by not so busy days. And then there's the rain. I can sense the onslaught of disease coming any week now because of unpredictable weather (poor kids).

At any rate, my mind wanders back to Cebu again, my home away from home. These are the days when I wish I were just tucked in one of those cozy seats in Postrio with a good book, a slice of their heavenly pecan pie and a cup of Lavazza.


By the way, I recall seeing some really cool posters of Lavazza inside their lavatory (yes, makes for interesting sightseeing while you're at it). The height of cool!

This one reminds me of a Lachapelle. But then again, maybe it is.

SIGH.

Had a dinner of Chef's salad and Diet Coke with a good friend at Cafe Adriatico, one of the best places to find food in Malate when you are truly famished. Plus, it's the ONLY sensible place to eat in at, say, 11 PM or midnight. Besides, I'm already up to my neck with Chinese food lately, courtesy of Estero and Hap Chang, my midnight dinner best friends.

Como siempre, I asked for my favorite window seat on the second floor, the one with the magnificent 180-degree view of Remedios Circle (save for one area that is blocked by a wall).

Everything went well until I decided to give in to an age-old pang and ordered blueberry cheesecke. In a restaurant known for good food and nothing but, it surprised us that we had to eat this particular cheesecake by stabbing at it. Yes, s-t-a-b-b-i-n-g, as in stab the fork on the poor cheesecake in order to get a piece of it.

The pretender to the throne against the backdrop of a more alive Remedios Circle. As you can see, the cake is not sliced evenly owing to its unusual solidified property.

Turns out that it wasn't cheesecake but some sort of vanilla ice cream they freeze-dried and topped with blueberry from the can.

Kudos to Cafe Adriatico for bungling on this one. I am suddenly afraid of the entire menu.

THYME AND AGAIN

by Dylan Yap Gozum

Featuring
SALA - Maria Orosa Street (Malate, Manila)

It isn’t every time that you come across a place - say, a restaurant - that has its very own distinct character. Recently, both Manila and nearby Makati have seen the opening of restaurants that were heavy on the interiors but whose menus fall short of expectations. Truly, one can declare that a visit to these places is not worth it. No te compensa.

There are many other restaurants in the metropolis, and then there is SALA. Nestled between established hang-outs in the famous Nakpil strip - the original home of Casa Armas is just a few steps away - SALA, from the outside, appears to hardly fit in the bohemian character of this place. Clean, straight lines of concrete and glass frame the entrance, but those passing by Nakpil are given a peek into it through its huge picture window - soft white lights, cozy seats, crisp linen. There are hints of green, crystal and silver. It’s a world that beckons, almost magical.

Indeed, SALA will surprise the first-timer. The appetizer and main menu is sparse (though this cannot be said of the spirit and wine list) but there is this palpable promise of one exciting dining experience ahead. Once the maitre’d unfolds the napkin on your lap, you’re in for a ride like no other.

The breads are crunchy and tasty, as expected. In fact, there is almost no need for the butter. There are touches of celadon on your table. La Vie en Rose is playing (standards that span the 1920’s to the 40’s are apparently usual here, and lends an air of rightful and appropriate sophistication to the place). The yellow light of the candle lights up the face of your partner. The San Pellegrino and the red wine perks you up.



The dining staff are the only people you notice (everyone else blends into the surroundings). They attend to your every need - promptly, graciously, and with that killer charm that seems to be characteristic of SALA and its sister restaurants (MAMMA on Nakpil, now sadly defunct, and People’s Palace two doors away). These guys were trained to please, yes. They are naturally concerned with you. Unobtrusive, yet they are quick to respond to your every need. They have this air of pride about them that they can sound haughty without even trying but I suppose it comes from that inner pride that arises from being a part of SALA, and everything that has made it what it is today.

With slim silhouettes created by black tight shirts and trendy flat fronts, they seem to be reminders that you’ve lost time in the gym, but heck. I’m here for the food, not on a guilt trip. I will live through this, hah!

To begin with, the tomato basil soup blew my mind away. I just had to keep quiet (I’m usually bubbly) and savor every spoonful of that rich, sinful concoction. My friend had double-baked soufflé - an awesome piece of art work on a plate but subtle flavors of which will make you want to invite everybody to PLEASE take a little bite of this, just to make them feel how it is to feel like swooning in pure pleasure.



The main course consisted of pork tenderloin on a bed of rhubarb and vin de rouge sauce, and duck ragout on homemade pasta, both of which you can always pair with a wine of your choice.

Ending our meal with cheesecake, glace, and fruit, all I can say is that SALA conjures up all forms of clichés - divine, delightful, amazing.

My dining partner thinks of it as being so Edith Wharton-esque: impeccable, proper without being stiff and boring, and exciting. You could dwell on every moment, really. Enjoy yourself. Laugh. Plot. Every bite is inviting you to be a different person, to lose yourself in a world of aroma and flavors.

It’s one great experience indeed; something to regale friends with (think jealousy factor) even if you wish you could keep it a secret from everybody. In short, a SALA visit is truly something to always look forward to.