Posts Tagged ‘Manila’

Busted wipers


2010
09.01

I was hoping to catch Bloody and his van earlier, only to discover that he had left already and it was raining like hell since I left the office more than two hours ago. The big problem of having no Bloody to save me from getting soaked like a cat was getting into the long commuter line.

But a red van came in to save the night. Just in time for a ten o’ clock dinner. And I was the last person to board the van, taking the front seat.

While we’re on our way to Libis crossing the Ortigas flyover, the wiper broke down and we’re left with sheets of torrential rains blocking our sights. It was already zero visibility and the driver was on an emergency tail light signal just in case someone wants to cut us from behind and risk getting his head lopped off from his neck. The driver relied on the small convex mirror on his side while everyone inside was on a red alert for a possible vehicular accident. Two ways – either we collide with a truck or jump off the slopes of White Plains.

Apparently I just had my second life.

From east to south


2010
09.01

I could probably say that I have spent all my life living in the eastern part of Manila, the province of Rizal to be specific. My sibs and I grew up in the hilly countryside of Montalban then spent our adolescent years in one of the bustling towns of Pasig. I’ve always wondered what lurks on the other side of the mountains people call the Sierra Madre, which often times appear like a patch of green and violet from the distance. Every time there was a storm coming, Sierra Madre acted like a shield protecting an overpopulated Manila, only to find out later on that Aurora and Quezon provinces would bear the grunt of every passing storm.

None of us planned to move out of Rizal, until late last year when Typhoon Ondoy flooded almost all of Rizal and sent everyone to their rooftops. There was widespread devastation everywhere and no way we can relieve the nightmare. That was what prompted us to go and live in the south. For our own peace of mind.

This is going to be our first family-owned house in a decent neighborhood in Cavite. The best thing about it is we can have our own mini-garden where we can set up outdoor electric grill for small barbecue parties, plant camote tops, and put up a resting place where I can do computer work.

And what I badly need right now is a bike that I can use to reach the village gate. I hope someone would give me a car to address my commuting worries from home to office.

Orchard Road: Singaporean food at its best


2010
02.27

That very familiar spot along SM Megamall’s bridgeway is now home to a 250-seater hawker center whose often busy open kitchen draws in curious passersby. The thrill of flames and clanking woks of this place called Orchard Road are distinct reminders of Singapore’s hawker centers, along with a variety of authentic regional Asian dishes prepared right before your very eyes. The only difference is that Orchard Road is an improved version of a typical hawker center in Singapore – it’s comfortable and relaxing, clean, well-staffed and air-conditioned. There’s none like it around Metro Manila that makes dining experience unique and a bit more exciting at a price one can easily afford.

Orchard Road’s flavorful food offers are basically of Malay, Chinese, Indian and Western influences that represent the cultural diversity in Singapore. They have Singaporean chefs in the house that work with local cooks in making these dishes fit the Filipino tastebuds without compromising their authenticity. For starters, check out their appetizing deep-fried spring rolls or the White Carrot Cake made of diced and stir-fried radish with an egg mixture. Try their house specialties like the steamed Hainanese Chicken served with rice, chili sauce, dark soy sauce, and ginger paste, or their hot and spicy Laksa with shrimp, egg and chicken in coconut curry gravy. For dessert, order their Thai specialty called Iced Red Ruby. It is usually made by boiling pieces of water–chestnut covered in tapioca flour and red food coloring, served over shaved ice, rose syrup, and evaporated milk. The Kaya Toast (coconut jam-filled grilled toast) is perfectly paired with the classic “Teh Tarik” or “pulled tea”. These tempting offers could certainly make you forget about your calorie count, but let the most effective diet pill in the market take care of your dietary worries, or just simply jog the following day. That should solve your problem. :)

Ordering from their extensive tick-list of 60 plus food items can be quite a daunting task. But they have hosts that can assist you with your choices and take you to a self-serve counter where you place your orders, pay and get your number. While waiting for your food be delivered to your table, enjoy the sight of their classy Southeast Asian-inspired interiors and the fragrant smell of oriental flavors wafting through the air.

Orchard Road is the brainchild of Singaporean TV celebrity Vivien Tan-Vaca and her Filipino husband, Dudo Vaca. Together with local investors, they named this restaurant “Orchard Road” after the famous entertainment, retail and food hub of the country.

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