Never a Gourmet, Always a Gourmand.

Since I started to live independently, I didn’t find much time to cook for two main reasons: I am normally tired at the end of the day and it’s harder to cook for one person (I don’t want to eat the same food for a week!). I didn’t find time, didn’t prioritize learning, so I end up stagnant with the dishes that I’ve learned from my mom years ago.

Maybe that’s the reason why I don’t know about good food. Haha. I think I’m more of a gourmand, not a gourmet. But I believe that the interest of a person is affected on the level of need, proximity or desire of that person on something, I think it’s a matter of distance to the “subject.”

To prove it, step by step, I found myself learning a lot about wines and food. I explore more and take more time in eating (I eat very slowly ever since so 30 mins is 1hr now!); I appreciate the taste and wonder what’s in it and how it’s cooked.

Why does this happen?

Here’s the array of stolen shots of the pastas prepared by Taku for me to eat for the past days:

 

My favourite is the squid ink pasta. ------->

And because of this new skill I honed, I don’t think I’ll lose weight. Haha.

Vacation Mode: On

I was dying to have time to write for the past month and I finally sneaked in tonight in my offline journals.

Written at 6:30am on the 16^th of September 2011, Boracay, Philippines:

It’s been a while since I stopped and tried to listen to the waves.

Lately, I was feeling so restless and exhausted (I even have a bad voice for 2 months!).  After a few days with some deep cleansing breaths and good laughs with bosses, colleagues, friends, family and Taku, I quite got back to my balance but Taku knows best, I need more and it’s not just going to be a backpacking trip for us, it would be a relaxation and luxury trip.

Taku has been working so hard since he was reassigned in the Philippines last July. He has been working long hours and I never hear complaints like mine (well, since girls are more vocal and emotional, I think I get my balance back when I complain. Haha). Complaining to him is already a luxury to me, hearing his take on the situation regardless of what it is assures and secures me. With him, I feel so intrepid and hopeful.

“Cy, you’ve been working hard, you deserve a break and let’s read a book by the beach.”

Then, we’re off to Boracay.

Our early flight is a bit tiring since there was piled up tasks at work the day before because we’ll be away for 4 days. Despite of having some glitches in checking in the airport, suddenly vacation mode was turned on.

Before taking care of some little things at work that I need to check and double check when I could use my mobile phone again, I noticed that Caticlan Airport was newly renovated. I felt like that was the start of making new wonderful memories of Boracay. I think Boracay trip is a curse to me having some bad things happening after a couple of superb feel-good trip. Well, but this time, I know and I feel that Boracay will be good to me from start to end.

The air was different. The sound was different. It was not my first time but I felt like I was seeing Boracay for the first time, probably from a different angle, different state of mind, better mind, I guess. Haha. We checked in in Regency Lagoon at Station 2. All the rooms were facing the beautiful pool, everyone’s so accommodating, everything’s just right and more than my expectation.

We breathed the air and were amazed by the screensaver-like beach as the sun touches our faces. I touched the white and fine sands and when Taku held my hand going to my favourite Jony’s Fruitshake, I knew this relaxation and luxury trip is going to be perfect.

ONLY RULE: Don’t care about the time and just be spontaneous. Finish a novel and “I am jobless, I’m just on vacation.”

First day was all about feeling good and gratefulness. And the itinerary was:

8:00- 11:00am    Arrival and familiarization. Check in the luggage, wander in d’ talipapa, buy   a native hat, walk in the beach, Banana Peanut Butter and Mango Shakes at Jony’s Fruit shakes at Station 1.

11:00-01:00pm  BBQ and beer at the I love Backyard BBQ that says that “diet is not an option.” Oh! I love that restaurant! Haha.

01:00-03:00pm  Beer and nap at the pool side of the beautiful pool of Regency Lagoon while waiting for the check in.

03:00-06:00pm Swim in the beach, start reading the novel and have a massage.

06:00-08:00pm Chill and watch a movie

08:00-10:00pm Swim in the pool while having a shot of blow job, pina colada and tequila sunrise. It was a nice combination and the bar in the middle of the pool made me love Regency Lagoon more.

10:00-01:00pm Crave and eat Risotto at Cristina’s, walked and slept soundly.

Tomorrow’s going to be a good day.

(Here's the link to the photos: Boracay: even if we have different "Summers)

LIKE & WIN Paul & Joe Voucher from Philippine Primer Magazine!

Want a makeover? Want it with a Japanese very sophisticated brand like Paul & Joe? 


Philippine Primer, the most comprehensive and leading source about the Philippines in Japanese, is giving away a Paul & Joe Makeover Voucher worth 2,500 until August 12, 2011, with these easy steps:

1. LIKE Promo on Group, your passes to a delicious, fun and relaxed life!
2. LIKE Philippine Primer for Non-Japanese, your partner in "Understanding and Tapping the Japanese Market!"
3. COMMENT on this post indicating your Facebook name and which of my Blog Categories (Laugh Louder, Learn Extra, Love More, Meets World) is your favorite!


Paul & Joe Philippines is exclusively distributed by Prestige Brands Philippines, Inc.


Here's the latest Primer Event, Primer Night: Understanding the Japanese Market. And it wasn't all serious. Can't wait to see you have a new look!

Do you like Japanese Food?

I used to do the photos above because of the Long Distance Relationship but Taku was re-assigned in Manila and of course, hello happy days for me!  

But… I am not spoiled.

I still smell good and look good. Haha. I know, I don’t think I’m gifted with humour (sigh). Kidding aside, I don’t think Takuya’s spoiling me.

        Or maybe, yes! But I spoil him too… and I think it’s normal to treat someone special to you very nice and make his/her day extra-ordinary special, every day. The truth is, at this very moment, I feel like our relationship is old because we seem to know each other very well and our values are so much alike despite of the cultural difference, but I also feel like our relationship is new (just months together!) because we always have new things to try and places to go! 


         Ordinary lazy weekends and busy weekdays seem very interesting, simply because HE FEEDS ME VERY WELL.

…then he’ll look at my fat arms, which he calls as “marshmallows,” and will say, “I think I’m feeding you very well” followed by touching them. The saying "a way to a man's heart is through his stomach" is not applicable for me but eating Taku's Spaghetti and other food that he'd prepared, I realized that the saying is true. 

         I thought I’m not really into cooking (but yes in eating!) but lately, I find myself excitedly thinking about what to cook and learn to cook soon. 

this was taken during Sake Night, the house party that he hosted.

I think I was inspired by Taku. He’s very passionate in cooking that he even dreamt about having a cooking show! And I think the reason why we’re working hard and saving money now is for us to be able to produce a Cooking Show with a Japanese Guy with the big butt as a host! That would be cool-- Japanese Jollibee. Haha. (Joke Taba!)

Look at all those things on the table! I don't understand! Haha.

He loves cooking like crazy! His kitchen is full of seasonings and ingredients that make me crave and just think about what he’ll cook next during lunch break on weekdays!

               

            Yes, I like Japanese Food but not to the point that I’ll get used to it so much and feel like I am just eating Adobo like what I’m feeling now! I find myself so familiar with the Japanese taste that I crave for it a lot. I even got interested in learning how to cook Okonomiyaki, Taku’s favourite, Osaka/ Kansai Prefecture’s famous food that I always crave. 

I love Okonomiyaki Boy!

                 We love good food and it’s so fulfilling that now, we cook our own pancake, French toast, lunch, dinner and even merienda! For sure, we’ll be able to save money for our upcoming trips, future businesses and cooking show! Haha. But seriously, it’s very rewarding to eat food that you know was carefully prepared and cooked and it’s even more rewarding to cook for someone that you care for, I like the feeling that I know that he’s eating something healthy. We’re on our 6^th month and knowing him more each day makes me realise how lucky I am to have this small-eyed chef.

                I know now why his pick-up line was “Do you like Japanese Food?” 

               Fine Dining, Izakaya or simply at home, he delivers.

I crave for KOREAN. Haha.

           Koreans are everywhere in the Philippines, even in television. Filipinos are so much into Korean Culture that upon riding a cab, you’ll hear Korean songs being played on the local radio and hear people talking about Korean dramas or Korean Novelas when you pass by the Filipino Sari-Sari store!

         There was a time that I had a business trip in Cebu and I was astonished upon noticing that almost 80% of the hotel and resort guests in Mactan and Cebu City were Koreans! English tutorials and schools are everywhere catering to the growing market of Koreans considering the cheap and effective way of learning English. 

          Philippine Primer, a monthly Japanese Magazine with a readership of 40,000, that promotes the Philippines to the Japanese community, even took a step last year to support the growing market of Koreans in the Philippines by introducing Korean restaurants, spas, performing arts schools, and other businesses in the country to supply everyone’s craving for the taste of the culture!

         Six months ago, I thought I wasn’t influenced by anything about Korea but I realised that I was craving a lot for Kimchi and Bibimbop! I even spent 24 hours watching a Korean drama Personal Preference or known in the Philippines as Perfect Match, and spent the next day dreaming of finding my “Gino” (Lee Min Ho)! (Well, not a long time but I actually found my Gino. Wohoo!)

      Anyway, I spent a day in Tagaytay to have a taste of the famous Raja- Korean supermarket, internet café, spa, and AUTHENTIC KOREAN RESTAURANT! Yehey!

with Ms. Helena Kim of Raja Tagaytay and  Ms. Mimi Endo.

          The owner and General Manager of Raja, Ms. Helena Kim, is so accommodating and fun. She even have this special pool villa in Puerto Azul that you can rent for a getaway and she’s into golf too so you can ask for her assistance in Golf Booking anytime at +63.917.880.0917.

          What I love about Korean restaurants is the unlimited side dishes that are served before the main dish, I swear I can request for the waitress to get me 5 sets of side dishes the whole time I’m eating! Haha.

This is actually the “BEFORE” when my Japanese friend, Mimi, and me ate at Raja:

Mimi san posed in her before pig-out moment. haha.

And here’s what happened after…

the lighting is crazy! haha.

In the city, I love Bada Korean Restaurant and Song Do Korean Restaurant at the 2^nd Level of El Pueblo Real, ADB Avenue cor Julia Vargas St. Ortigas Center, Pasig City. You can always call them at +63.2.636.4821 or +63.2.636.3626. I love their Bibimbop and yakiniku.

with the ever-friendly Song Do staffs

ARA Korean Restaurant in Malugay St. Brgy Bel Air, Makati, is a very nice Korean Restaurant also that offers not just good food, but also a very classy and gorgeous venue for your special occasions!

Sometimes, I go Korean at home by ordering the healthiest Kimchi in town (I think! Haha) but be careful because they deliver by bulk! Haha. I had to eat various Kimchi for a week last month because I ordered a lot, at Royal Palace Kimchi! Call them at +63.2.836.8282 or at +63.915.888.3333! I personally recommend the Cucumber and Spring Onion Kimchi though Youlmoo, pogi, cabbage and kaktugi are good also.

I love Kimchi! Thank you, bow.

A Healing Journey.

Seeing the photos of last year’s visit at The Farm at San Benito made my Saturday so serene and hopeful. Known for its Detoxification Retreats and Wellness Programs, The Farm at San Benito, in Lipa, Batangas, Philippines is an award-winning health resort located an easy 90-minute drive south of Manila.

the serene area where they hold yoga classes

It was a wonderful Saturday when I went there. As a yoga-lover, I felt the sense of belongingness in the place. The peace seemed to be from within; I breathed carelessly feeling that no polluted air will ever enter in my system.

this is the only thing I was seeing during the spa very relaxing treatment.

Spa and massage is part of my month! I’m having it twice a month and experiencing the spa treatment at The Farm was a very overwhelming experience. Everything that they used in my body was “edible” because they believe that we should be fair to our skin, being the biggest organ of our body, and give what it deserves with the same vitamins and minerals that we give to the rest of our body!

kids will definitely learn the art of flower arrangement and decoration!

Am I just pasted? or just completely wasted?

I had their Alive! Vegetarian 5-course Lunch.

I wasn’t able to talk the whole time I was eating. I was the best Zucchini with Basil Soup ever!

Everything was so lip-smacking and thinking about how they grew every ingredient of what I was eating and what they used in my body for massage was so astonishing and admirable.

All of us should realize The Farm at San Benito's Philosophy:

"We believe in the body’s inherent ability to heal and maintain a healthy functioning state.
We believe disease is preventable and curable, naturally. We provide the environment, guidance and support you need to realize your maximum human potential. We believe detoxification regiments are highly effective tools in restoring health. We believe good nutrition is enhanced by increasing the intake of raw or “living” food, and may or may not include cooked foods and animal protein. We believe an investment in health will be one of your wisest decisions."

Having won 18 international spa industry awards since 2004, The Farm has served as an inspiration to the Philippine tourism industry and benchmark for local spas in the country. It was awarded with the prestigious Asia Spa Award for Best Cuisine of the Year 2010. In 2009, CNN Traveller showcased the resort as one of the world’s best green places to stay in CNN Traveller’s list of Six Best Environmentally Friendly Hotels in the world. Its experienced team of integrated medical doctors, nurturing spa therapists, body-mind-spirit activity consultants, and “living food” chefs together with holistic approach to health has made The Farm one of the leading wellness destinations in the region.

Don't forget to visit The Farm at San Benito when you visit The Philippines and have a healing journey!

At any time, you may request assistance for transportation or any other by calling the following numbers: 02-884-8074 (as to be dialed within the Philippines) +63-2-884-8074 (as to be dialed from outside the Philippines).

   You can also ask for assistance from iMarketing Japan, Inc & Philippine Primer Magazine at 7^th Flr. Maripola Bldg. 109 Perea St. Legaspi Village, Makati City, or call +63.2.836.8381/ +63.2.808.2163.

The Farm at San Benito

119 Barangay Tipakan

4217 Lipa City, Batangas

 Philippines

Reservations: +63 2 884 8074

Cell (6am - 10pm):+63 918 884 8078

Fax: +63 2 889 1150 

Email: reservations@thefarm.com.ph/ info@thefarm.com.ph 

Skype: reservations.thefarm/ medical.thefarm

Gmail: reservations.thefarm@gmail.com  

Sundays should be just like this.

Sunday is Church and Family day for a normal Filipino family and usually, it is my “me” time as well. I’ve spent this morning attending the Mass and reading at Starbucks. And because time flies so fast, my thoughts fly as well, that Sundays should be just like this…

image from rajatandena.wordpress.com

It’s a Sunday and I am reading my favourite book as the hammock swings while I let the lukewarm wind touch my sun-burned skin and listen to the waves as they break and reach the shore. The breaking is always music to my ears, knowing that just like me; they’re part of the bigger body of water, the ocean, and me, the world. My hair is still wet because of the usual morning clean-up dive and I can hear the funniest-man-with-biggest-heart-on-earth call my name as he excitedly talks about the healthiest food he ever tasted in Krabi and how he missed my laugh in his last trip. He has a soft spot for children and I advocate environmental preservation so we always make it a point to support less fortunate kids and do efforts to preserve the environment from the returns of our café in the midst of the city and other businesses. I’m thrilled of his reaction as I plan to surprise him about the news that we’ll be having an addition to our fun life after my doctor happily confirmed it yesterday. (I can’t stop myself from smiling.) My mom and dad will be throwing a beach party for my 29^th birthday tonight as they invited my dearest friends and kin as a treat for me as we also celebrate the growth of our flower farm in the Philippines. I am searching for inspiration from simple things because I will be finishing a book at the end of this month that is expected to be published before 2015 ends. Our successful branding and advertising campaign in Asia caused me to plan a Europe trip and finally make it to eat pizza at the fountain in Italy with my best man.

It’s Sunday, lazy weekend will be over really soon but I’m glad that I learned how to appreciate every moment of this good life through the years. No regrets. Good life.

I know my Sundays will be just like this.

I chose to get loose!

It’s Thursday. Aside from the usual Thirstday of Couchsurfing Manila, it’s De La Salle University’s 100^th year and the celebration of our company president’s birthday. It’s such a busy day for me but I realize that the “unfortunate incident” happened almost a week ago.

Thinking back, I know how things and the way I think and behave changed a lot. Every day is a learning opportunity. There were many mixed reactions from people who found out this incident, some blamed us, some were threatened, some learned and some cheered us up.

The incident happened at around 4pm, then, after reporting it to all concerned individuals and parties, to cheer us up, we got free tickets in Star City from my sweet friend, Che! Yahoo!  I know you won’t believe but it was my first time. And Taku was funny when he said “It’s weird seeing you in a cold place!” Then we had tequila shots and mojito at Café Havana. Luckily, we both know how each other unwind and get loose.

Just like what my cousin Zarah used to say, “There’s no way but up” so after a few days, I got back to my feet and moving on. It’s funny because I had some basic make up set, the cheaper but essential ones. Thanks to my summerbuddy, Roxy, for a wonderful dinner because I don’t have money (haha) and to Marquee for accompanying me and for the photo of my new makeup set!

Goodbye Naked Meetings!

And I am truly blessed; my friends know the right time to say “I miss you Cy!” You guys cheered me up big time!

I miss you toooo, Girls!

Plus, I got a gwapo fat boyfriend who can say “Mahal Mahal Kita!” and sent me a post card for our monthsary last month!

very good Tagalog, diba?

How we react on things matters more than the unfortunate incident. Also, I am a Filipino and there are studies that show that the Philippines is the happiest country in Asia! Just like what Mr. Robles said, for Filipinos, happiness isn't a goal, it's a tool for survival! Remember, in a conflict, you always have a choice.

Salisi Gang: that's it, pansit!

They say that the true character of a person can be seen in a difficult situation. How we react on unexpected things and conflict not only reveals “who” we really are, but also unfolds the characters of the people around us, regardless if they are “in the situation” or “just heard the situation from you.”

This happened in Starbucks inside the Fullybooked in Bonifacio High Street at Fort Bonifacio Global City (as you know, a very high end and posh place in Manila).  We just had our best brunch because after a long time of searching, we just found the best French Toast in the city at 2nd’s! After the mouthwatering brunch, we headed to Fullybooked to have our usual routine of reading while having a chat and coffee in our favorite spot. We were seated in sofas with a small table just across the escalator and the CCTV camera of the bookstore. I decided to get a book because Taku brought the book that he was reading ever since he arrived in Manila more than a week ago. He took his iPhone out of my bag, and then started putting Muji’s marshmallows in my bag to tease me. I have every little and important thing in my huge bag since I’ve been busy for the past days, haven’t changed my bag and have put everything in it (even my clients’ business cards)! When we were in HK Disneyland, Taku misplaced his camera and lost it so I’m being careful when we’re together and checking all his belongings.

In short, MY important stuffs + TAKU’S important stuffs are in my HUGE favorite bag.

…When I came back after 5 minutes with a good book, I thought he was throwing a prank at me, I just lost my bag.

Taku ran after them. When he came back he said there was a girl who asked him if the P100 on the floor was his, then my bag vanished. Fullybooked and Starbucks team helped us checked all the possible whereabouts of the “Salisi Gang” and carefully looked at their CCTV cameras, but it wasn’t solved. Upon looking at the video from their Security office, we’ve seen 5 women in their 30s-50s with a man in his 50s connived in this crime. You’ll see that the old lady who put my bag in the paper bag that she brought attempted to go down in the escalator which was going up, together with the fact that they’re facing the CCTV camera of the bookstore, it might be a proof that they might not be “professionals.”

This is an opportunity to learn for us, hoping this will also be a learning or warning tool for others.

It’s sinking into my system now. I don’t even have any cosmetic left and I feel so exhausted thinking about all the important things that were gone. Aside from my digital camera, phone, important IDs and cards, I lost the Tiffany necklace which was Taku’s first gift and meant so much to us. Taku lost many important things as well, but this incident taught and made us realize so much of our big world, our generation, our country, our family and friends, our relationship and ourselves. 

I don’t think I have any important material thing right now. I even feel a lot naked spending days in the corporate world having no jewelries and make up, but I’m feeling so blessed, realizing that the most important things in my life are relationships and sharing every good thing, may it be a warning like this, with others to make this world a better place. 

Tough new project.

This is indeed one of the toughest project I've ever done in my life.

We've been working on this new project for almost 3 months now.

It started with a random thought on how are we going to make our long distance relationship work (our time difference sucks and we don't have much time for our storytelling), then, had a "brainstorming" in Hong Kong when we decided to have a weekend trip last April. While thinking of the perfect blog name, we set up our blog under the name "tabachoyblog," then in a few weeks Going the Distance Project" was born.

Funny, the welcome page was revised by the two of us for 6 times in about more than a week. And we had a hard time coming up on what to write in our first two posts.

I'm not just looking forward on how the blog will look like or how much it will influence each others. Everyday, I look forward to the weekend or the next time that our time zones will allow us to turn on our speakers and cameras and work on this project again. The laughter and discussion grow us closer and help us adjust and get to know each other better.

The project's still empty now, but we learned a lot from each other so far.

Like us in Facebook and visit us while we're Going the Distance.

Though starting is tough, it gets easier having an extra mind to revise.