A Tale of Love and Darkness (2015)

Ramadhan started on the 6th of this month. That day, he told me we are not to see each other for one whole month. I was hurt and troubled. I know he is busy and all, but most times I find myself thinking if I really have a place in his heart and in his life.

So on the 9th, before I jump into an extra hectic schedule which I embraced wholeheartedly to somehow keep him off my mind, I decided to watch a movie alone. It was funny how that week there were heated exchanges of SMS and all throughout the week I was crying hard. Yet we still manage to remind each other to bring an umbrella because the rainy season is upon us. Or maybe we just want to find an excuse to text each other and show that we care despite the misunderstandings. Either way, when he texted to say it was raining and for me to take care going home, I replied saying I would be at UP to "take a walk because I just wanted to be in a place full of trees". Wild child still.

But I fought hard, braving the heavy Metro traffic, to end up at UPFI to attend the free screening of A Tale of Love and Darkness, a movie by Natalie Portman. It's a heartbreaking movie (or maybe I read too much of my own situation into it) about a family striving to live a normal life in the new state of Israel following World War 2. The Palestinians are of course not too happy since the state was formed on their land. (And we see how malicious the West is when they cause border and frontier issues which remain to this day.) The movie was based on Amos Oz's book of the same title, an autobiography that reveals his pro-Zionist sentiments but without discounting the possible peaceful coexistence with Palestinians.

Amos' story focused in his mother Fania, played by Natalie Portman herself. Fania was a romantic, seemingly infatuated with a strong man who can do manual labor, in contrast to the person she married. Amos' father was a writer who loved etymologies, by the way, and he took pride in this as this gift was what made Fania fall in love with him. Unbeknownst to him, Fania suffers from the marriage, snubbed and bullied by her mother-in-law. Until there came a point when she falls into depression and young Amos had to take care of her. And she repeatedly told him that he was her Light, her only joy. (At this mention, I couldn't help but cry as I thought of the Light of my Life...)

The movie ends showing a teenager Amos driving a tractor. He had become a farmer, a realization of his mother's fantasies.

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Rarely do I see a jampacked UPFI and because I came in around 7:20, I had to be on my feet for the whole duration of the film. Didn't matter to me because I liked the movie although the love part was not emphasized. Darkness pervades the whole film. Love was evident only in Fania's sweet talk to young Amos and well, how Amos put her as the central character in the story.

There You'll Be- Valentine's Day 2016

I spent last weekend in Los Banos, Laguna following a sudden invite from a former classmate. We've been planning to meet up since last November but found it hard to sneak the date in our busy schedule. Last Saturday was different. I woke up at 5:30am (instead of the planned 4:30) and left Cubao at 6am. I was lucky to have arrived just as the bus was driving out of the terminal.

We chatted a lot as soon as we saw each other. Four years of just chatting on Facebook was not enough. I cooked curry noodles for her and then we went to UPLB for some yoghurt treat. In the afternoon, we went to Laguna Hotsprings to take a dip in one of Pansol's hotspring resorts. I wanted to submerge my body in the hot waters hoping for the complete healing of my knee which was slightly injured from my last waterfalls hike. But disappointingly, the water was not hot. But we were treated to a surprise fish spa when late in the afternoon, some janitorfish were biting off our dead skin cells. Cute. It was so relaxing I fell asleep. LOL.

While in the waters we talked a lot, catching up on each other's lives. It was comforting to know that I can ask even personal questions and get honest answers. Purely girl talk, plus more. ;)

We had a quick nap before we had dinner at a Vietnamese restaurant and I had their version of tom yum. The shrimps were overcooked but they were in fairly good size so I couldn't compain much. Then off we went to the UP Fair, my first ever. And we both laugh at how I had to travel far to experience UP Fair!

There were lots of people but I didn't mind because being with her is so much fun. Perhaps next year I will try to see for myself what UPD Fair is like. And maybe, just maybe, ask that guy out. (That guy with whom I became close to in Bacolod. He inspires me a lot, and it's pretty rare that guys inspire me this much.)

The following day, my friend and I took a long walk inside UPLB and had breakfast at IRRI canteen. I sneaked a peek at the museum and it's awesome!!! Since I have a bit of grudge at IRRI for not helping the local farmers, I asked that uncomfortable question to her and she clarified that that is PhilRice's job and that IRRI is an international organization. Well that explains things. We really cannot rely on our government to level the playing field and provide a bright future for everyone, which is why I never want to work under it despite the many offers.

It was super hot like the day before and I was afraid I might get dehydrated but we still walked, being pooritas that we are. We had lunch at a Thai resto where I got to eat awesome pad thai. My friend's order of beef noodle soup is also very delicious so I will be ordering that the next time I drop by.

I left Laguna around 2pm, fearing I might get stuck in heavy traffic if I go home late. It's Valentine's Day after all and I would also like to spend the day with my family. Turned out ny sisters went out and so I ended up attending mass with mom and bro.

At night, I finally was able to draw a younger version of my yaya and me as a baby. Hot tears fell but I hope this way I am able to honor her memory on this day of hearts. Because of all the people in the world, she was the one who loved me the most. And this week, falling into contemplation yet again, I thought about how I was able to go through the challenges of life because of her, and how, despite her passing, we seem to be closer than ever. Because I refuse to forget even though it hurts a lot, even though when thoughts of her pop in my mind, I am sure to get teary-eyed and lately it's been hard to control.

So I'm dedicating a drawing and the song "There You'll Be" to the Light of my life. Happy Valentine's Day, yaya. I miss you everyday. 

Hazard Maps Seminar @UP NIGS 12052015

Last December 6, I attended a seminar which was forwarded to me by a former ASP classmate. When I first received the invitation, I couldn't inform H immediately if I could make it since that Saturday was already allotted for the office's center-wide Christmas party, something I shouldn't miss since the theme is Rock Music and all of my fave rock bands are sure to be reinterpreted in the different teams' performances. In the end, my love for maps prevailed. I also wasn't too keen on going to Pampanga to party all night.

It was also the last day of a personal project so I decided to just skip the party in favor of this seminar. It doesn't disappoint. Maybe because I am neither an architect nor an urban planner nor a geologist that's why I was happy to have learned a lot. Because mapping is integral in archaeology simply because spatial analyses are also involved, I was super interested in this seminar. It also gave me a chance to know other uses for mapping and why it is suddenly becoming the "in" thing especially in matters involving disaster risk management and mitigation.

Finally happy to see the great Dr. Mahar Lagmay in person (so I made sure to get a fullbody shot!). He talked about Project NOAH, what the project has done so far and upcoming projects which I am very excited about. I hope I can be part of this project. It looks so cool and I have visited their den in NIGS once when we were toured there. And I so love their sophisticated equipment!!! I regret not taking up Geology in college. #cries

Introduced as Dr. Mahar Lagmay's righthand man, Mr. Oscar Lizardo is Project NOAH's Chief Technology Officer who talked about how the average person can use the database developed by Project NOAH and how to leverage the NOAH app.

Arch. Geomilie Guittap discusses the oft-ignored part in disaster management: how to deliver relief goods to affected communities. Hers is an interesting talk that draws parallelism and notes differences between commercial supply chain and humanitarian relief chain. The speaker is someone I would really love to connect to since she is confidently smart with a beautiful heart. (Inspired by Pia Wurtzbach's response in the recently concluded Ms. Universe Pageant.)

Arch. Nicasio Espina Jr. talked about how risk and hazard maps influence design and urban planning and talked a lot about the CLUP (Comprehensive Land Use Plan). While it is cool that we have the CLUP, I am actually far more interested in how CLUP is used, or is it just another theory sadly unused in practice? (I love hs curly hair! And he resembles Hiro Mizushima, the actor who played the lead character in Kamen Rider Kabuto...)

And so spending the whole day in my beloved alma mater, what else is there to regret? Definitely nothing. Parties end when they end, but seminars make possible the beginning of something wonderful because great ideas are shared on the floor for the benefit of mankind.

That ^, and finally knowing a little bit more about urban planning. 

September 2015 Part 1

September almost always is my busiest month but nowadays it's changing because I had to offload some activities temporarily to give way to new ones which I believe will help enrich my life. One of the things that have to go for now is traveling because not only does it eat up much of my time and keep me away from my family, I have also identified it as my biggest expense-incurring activity, which is bad because since the start of the year I have had very little savings.

So the first week of September I was elated to have spent less than P600. Would you believe that I was even able to buy groceries that week? But I promised myself never to buy lunch for one whole week but it was a success that spilled over to the second week and which I am hoping will continue this week until payday comes hopefully.

Except that this last week I overspent because of certain activities. I received a meeting invite in SM Megamall which was a bad idea scheduling it on that day. It rained hard and I bore witness to the floods in Ortigas and the slow-as-snail pace of vehicles. The other party was late because of this and so I had to buy snacks for myself lest I end up grumpy because of hunger. It was a fruitful meeting and I hope that my pet projects and one big project will push through.

For someone who did not experience having an org in college, being with one right now is not only a blessing but a privilege. Here I learned the importance of passionate volunteerism. Based on observations, people would sign up for just about anything but fail to deliver outputs. This presents a problem for the project organizers and for the org which provides the funding. Can't people be serious and treat volunteer work as something at par with salaried work? Okay people will argue that you don't get paid being a volunteer. My point is, then don't volunteer if you can't deliver. Simple as that. Problem is people are so good at biting more than what they can chew. (Which, forgive me for the digression, is also a big issue in the Philippines because people do not care about wasting food. Just go to any restaurant or food court and you will be indignant at how so much food is wasted while a lot of people are starving. Makes me really angry!!!)

Anyway, I'm learning a lot in the org. Phase 2 of the project is even more exciting because I already volunteered to be part of the measures and documentation team. LOL. Okaaay no more travels until end of the year and I hope that translates to savings. That is, if I succeed in keeping myself away from theaters...

Speaking of theaters, I watched DUP's season opener "#R</3J", a modern retelling of The Bard's classic Romeo and Juliet. I was disappointed with the play, over-all. However, it must be pointed out that the kinesthetics of this pay is well played out, leaving me awed. It's the first time that I left the theater feeling like I was cheated of my P200, to think that I came in late, NO THANKS to the heavy traffic in EDSA and the extra long queue at the jeepney terminal in SM North. I really really really miss having my early morning shift. #cries

After the play, S and I walked all the way to Maginhawa, our food haven because of the many food offerings there. And we promised to meet up more frequently to be able to experience each of the restos there, before they close up without notice. This seems to be the prevailing pattern in the area but I am happy to see that favorites are still there: Ate Fe's Kitchenette, Friuli, Crazy Katsu, Coffee Way... Sigh! Now I am saving up money for more food trips (and possibly explore Marikina's Lilac Street more. YUM!!!) Our choice for the night was IndonYaki and we shared an order of their fried lumpia and pancit canton. Simple but filling, delicious, and affordable!

Just yesterday, I went out to see Heneral Luna with an archaeo boy who's always been nice to me. Anyway, this is the third time we hang out together. The first time was when he was a new student and I had just finished my first year. The second time was some two month ago or so when we both agreed to dine at Likha Diwa and it was funny because there was no electricity but so determined we were to eat there that we didn't mind.

And boy did I enjoy the film despite the gore and violence. You see, Antonio Luna is my favorite hero in Philippine History, that on my first ever solo trip which happened in his province, I made sure to drop by the Luna house in Badoc. His infamous fiery temper must have added some charm to his extraordinary wit, military excellence, courage, and bravery. It's such a shame though that he was to fall in the hands of Filipinos. Shame on traitors and cowards, they don't know the meaning of true independence. Of course not much is known about Luna compared to Rizal which is double shame because for me, Antonio Luna is the best polymath. Would Rizal be involved in war? Let's not forget that he aimed for reformation and not complete independence. We cannot dismiss the fact that revolutionaries were inspired to act for Philippine independence after Rizal's death though.

But but but, did you know that Antonio Luna is not only a god of war incarnate, but also gifted with intellectual prowess? He was a licensed doctor and he won prizes for his research on tropical diseases. He was also an accomplished writer , having contributed to La Solidarid as Taga-Ilog, and later on founding La Independencia. What's more, he's gifted with foresight, like many of us from the moon! It is because of his near-perfect characteristics that he was to meet his demise at the hands of lowly creatures who could not bear to see his brilliance. Highly principled and a strict disciplinarian, he did what he could to set the first Philippine military right earning the ire of high ranking officials whose interests lie elsewhere. It is no wonder that Aguinaldo and his men would rather have him dead than to have the Philippines liberated from the Americans under Luna's military command. Oh the shame, this social disease is still as prevalent in modern times. Just why can't people just focus on the ultimate goal and cooperate???

Antonio Luna is one rare gem, alongside Gerogorio del Pilar. You know what the bonus in the film is? There is a VERY BIG chance that they're creating a movie centered on Gregorio del Pilar!!! Why am I excited? Because Gregorio del Pilar is my second most favorite hero in Philippine history! I never get tired of reading about these two. :)

After the movie, C and I had early dinner at Shi Lin in Trinoma. I had high expectations because I enjoyed my experience at Lucky Chinatown branch but these were not met in this branch, unfortunately. The photos in the menu are misleading when it comes to size and portions. My face fell when I saw the Japanese tofu being served. The congee and noodles were okay but I could have ordered the same someplace and not spend a fortune. the xiaolongbao is still heavenly though so maybe I'll just drop by this place when I have cravings again. As for noodles, there's always Lanzhou Ramen and Shanghai Ramen.

Busy September

Every year, whenever August is about to end, I would always condition myself for the following month. September has always been a busy month for me. It's also my favorite month of the year, not because it is the beginning of the BER months (and I would always create my wishlist this early only to modify it in the succeeding months), but mainly because of the Mid-Autumn Festival. This special day actually falls on the 15th of the eighth month of the lunar calendar and the equivalent date in the solar calendar is almost always within the month of September.

Because of the festival, two weekends would be reserved for family and friends. I love the dice games that accompany this special day. These dice games are played after a meal at some Chinese restaurant. I also look forward to raffle games where prizes may include flaky hopia (the ones I love most) and cash prizes. Add to that the fact that during the whole 19 years of my schooling I have been a consistent honor student so I would get additional cash prize, (which I would later partially surrender to my parents. Boo!) which they call as scholarship award. Of course it's not enough to cover even a semester's tuition fees but at least I got motivated to do well in school because I was always after the money to buy books.

This year is different. September 13 just had so many events that I wanted to attend. (Enough reason for me to write a separate entry on what I did yesterday.) I was invited to two gatherings cum dice games but since it's an annual event anyway, I chose to decline so I could attend the Wikimedia-sponsored Santa Ana walk where I got to meet really interesting people with LOTS of stories to tell. I had to leave early though to rush to Makati for Chino Gutierrez's concert where I think I was the only female adult in casual clothes because I didn't bother to bring a dress with me as my bag was already full of stuffs required for the whole day walking activity and also of freebies we got from SMART Communications.

I got home really late last night and commuting was such a pain because it rained. Somewhere in the Philippines, typhoon Luis must have landed. However I couldn't help but smile at the thought that at least I finally had the courage to talk to a former prof in UP and to my erstwhile classmate who do not even knew of my existence until last night. That said, I don't expect him to remember me if ever we get to meet again should he have a concert here in the future. My only wish is that he keeps on getting better and better at violin because he now serves as an inspiration to me especially now that I'm learning how to play the instrument he mastered at a young age.

So now I think I'll stay at home the whole day and try to at least get substantial work done for my paper presentation next week. I'll just have to build on and update one archaeology-related paper I submitted as class requirement two years ago and I'm good to go.

Busy September indeed. Sometimes I just want to sleep through it all and have someone wake me up when September ends. #Greenday

Measure for Measure (DUP) 09062014

To make the truth appear where it seems hid, and hide the false seems true.

-Isabella

Saturday found me going to UP Diliman for the first time in a very long time, to watch a play with a very dear friend. Long before theatrical plays were given their much-deserved attention, she has always been a companion when it comes to theater though we very rarely have an in-depth discussion of what we watch. We watched Phantom of the Opera in 2012, The Addams Family the Musical in 2013, and several DUP productions, having been fans of our alma mater's own theater company (mainly because tickets are way cheaper and yet the quality is at par, if not better than those in bigger theaters).

This time, we watched Measure for Measure. She was with a suitor (or boyfriend???). They spared me the details but I do get the feeling that their relationship is bearing fruits and I just can't wait for the BIG news. This would serve as an inspiration for me to also find my partner. (Though those who know me would berate me yet again for my high standards. WHAT STANDARDS???) Anyway, we three initially were to be seated very far apart from each other because when the tickets were bought, there were very few seats left. Before the doors closed though, my friend approached me and told me to transfer near her. Lucky us because her "seatmates" were no shows so we all had a very nice view of the stage. Initially I sat at the farthest right facing the stage.

Measure for Measure is a Shakespearean play. We watched the English version and at the onset I think my nose would bleed because they employed Shakespearean English. Inside me I was like, come on guys, at least make Shakespeare more accessible!!! While I love reading, I don't read plays, preferring to watch performances instead. Even in college I had a hard time joining discussions when it comes to literary theater because of my stubbornness. What can I do? I get bored reading dialogue lines! 

As expected I couldn't understand half of the lines being delivered. Something to do with the pronunciation but I also have my faults because I didn't get myself acquainted with The Bard's plays though they are deemed a MUST for lovers of literature. I did get the story though, a narrative of pretensions, hypocrisy, and moral corruptions.

Set in Vienna, where sex is rampant, the Duke goes away for a while and puts Angelo in his authority's place. A certain Claudio is held in prison and is to be executed for causing his lover Juliet's pregnancy. For this, his sister Isabella pleads to Angelo for mercy but is surprised when the latter, known for his peerless justice and incorruptible character, asks for her body. Isabella chooses her virginity over her brother's life but with the help of the Duke who disguised as a friar, all ends well with his machinations and awesome play behind the scenes. 

I especially love the part when things got heated up and the friar was amongst them and yet they need to have the Duke. When Lucio, Claudio's friend, accuses the friar of the bad words he say about the Duke, the friar who is in truth the Duke, declares to the audience who know what's going on, "I protest I love the Duke as I love MYSELF!" 

What made the play super special for me was the effort and thought put into the props and costumes. I must say that DUP sets have improved a lot! I was utterly impressed with Collection, an early 2013 production. But in Measure, the audience is treated to a wickedly brilliant merging of European fashion and local materials like abaca! Of course it was hard to see at first but as my eyes adjusted, I was totally awed first at the exaggerated headworks where I first glimpsed the familiar abaca and then my eyes ran to the elaborate gowns to find more abaca. A quick online research yielded information that the designer is Gino Gonzales. For the first time I really took the effort to get the name of the costume designer!

_______________________

We were supposed to go to Maginhawa afterwards for early dinner but my father asked me to go with him to a wedding reception. My ex-minor crush, son of my father's friend, was getting married finally. He already had a girlfriend when I met him this the status of minor crush. The only reason why I liked him was because he was ever so sweet and caring to his younger sister, the exact opposite of my brothers.

At the reception, I was in the washroom when I suddenly heard Pachelbel's Canon being played I immediately rushed out and ran to the hall but when the moment I entered, the music had just ended. BOO! Turns out they only played but a small part of the piece.

Maginhawa can wait...

Excel!

Yesterday while solving for a problem involving linear approximation and having so many decimal numbers with only an ordinary calculator (the one that is packaged in a laptop machine), I was already feeling so slow and so helpless since I am used to thinking and acting fast. I thought, if only I were a programmer, or if only I knew a programming language, things could be easier. And then I thought that maybe Excel can do the job.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm not good at Excel. I owe it to the fact that I was traumatized by it when I was in grade school. At that time, it was my second to the last year in elementary when we were taught basic Excel lessons. I had a hard time catching up because I couldn't see then how I could use it in a practical way. I almost flunked my Computer subject. Almost but not quite because thank Heavens on the day of our final exams, I had an epiphany JUST IN TIME. I suddenly became aware of how Excel works. Probably one of the mysteries of the mind when under a panic attack. It saved me from being kicked out of the honor roll.

In highschool, I was praised for being one of the few who can do basic programming. That was my first time to have a taste of what it's like to work with programs. We started with HTML, then C++, and then 2 years of Visual Basic. On my senior year, I was made president of our school's Computer Club. (I actually joined the arts club but was pulled out by my Computer teacher.) It was a good thing he did so because while in the club, I was made aware of how computer hardware works and came to know many cool programs. My Computer teacher, who was also our club advisor, advised me to take up Computer Science. He's one of the few teachers who must have seen something in me though at that time, I really did not know that much about computers. In fact, I was embarrassed to be the head of a club when in fact other members, most of them younger than me, were more skilled. My only claim to fame is that I am a logical thinker so constructing formulae and using the language was fairly easy. But because computer language is not appealing to me in that one can never be poetic or express beautiful prose with it, I was not much interested.

So when I was about to take the UP Entrance Exam and choose a course, my two choices were based in the College of Arts and Letters. I really had a hard time choosing because many courses appealed to me, like Anthropology, Computer Science, Geology, Geodetic Engineering, Computer Engineering, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Mathematics, etc. etc. At that time though I was studying Japanese all on my own and I was thinking how cool it would be if I were to be a polyglot so I could read in many many languages. Before I submitted my application forms, I was able to state European Languages as my first choice and Creative Writing as my second choice. (Up until today, I still don't know whatever possessed me to select CW as my second choice...)

So pursuing my chosen course, I was limited to a maximum of two Math classes. I took Math 1, said to be the more difficult of the two. I was lucky to have a very very cool instructor who introduced me to Umberto Eco (now one of my favorite authors). His class was my most favorite class during my freshman year. We discussed the history of math, logic, systems, a bit of basic cryptography, sets, and other more abstract math concepts. Taking this was one of my best decisions since Math 2, though easy to get an A, is just about problem-solving and I don't think I need a repeat of it since I excelled in it in highschool. Math 1 was also the right course because it opened new doors for me and it was then that I realized how COOL Math really is.

So right after I finish European Languages, I took Math17, said to be the deciding factor for many engineering students if they should continue with their course or not. I knew many people who took that and who failed. I just had to see for myself how difficult it really is. I aced exams but flunked the final one because I never memorized the formulas and drawing circles and deriving formulas left me with very little time to solve the problems. It broke my heart, simply because I understood the lessons well, it's just that I couldn't memorize the formulae.

So anyway, studying Calculus now really shoved me down memory lane...

So going back to yesterday...

Yesterday while doing a problem in Calculus, I saw how foolish I was at my stubbornness in refusing to enlist the help of Excel, just the tool that can help me speed up calculations so I can devote more time in learning other things (or finishing that book I've been reading since last month).

I opened Excel, had a leap of faith that DAMN I COULD DO THIS!!! And just typed in the formulae for Newton's method of finding roots. Imagine my delight at my newfound powers! I overcame the trauma (I think)!!!!

one input, one look, and one conclusion

I'm just so happy with what I was able to do yesterday. Felt so productive. And I felt new powers flowing in my veins. The power of Math, the power to Excel! (Yes, pun intended.)

July 2013

One of the highlights of July is my return for a week to a life of a pseudo-student. I attended an interesting workshop which I think may be useful for my thesis should I continue my archaeology studies. It was good to interact with archaeology students again. I terribly miss UP life--- wearing t-shirt, shorts, and sandals, with no one to judge you why you wear pambahay clothes outside. I just wait for someone to comment on what I wear and I would proudly retort that UP is my home so please leave me alone. :P

Aside from that, I have been busy with a lot of reading. I finally read Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale", a dystopian novel about the removal of women's rights. It tells the story of Offred, in the form of a memoir where she narrates life before the military coup when women enjoyed having a job and earning money as well as the right to read. With the military government, women's status is determined largely by their capacity to bear children as Gilead (the former U.S.) suffers from population decline.

Also, I finally finished "A Clash of Kings", book 2 of A Song of Ice and Fire. I am quite disappointed at the number of deviations the series made from the book. While a TV series as a different medium is free to employ its interpretations and can even be quite independent of the book which it adapts from, I still seem to have a great difficulty in accepting wholeheartedly those deviations.

As of writing I'm currently reading "A Storm of Swords" and many things are made clearer now. For instance, we get to see the somewhat good side of Jaime Lannister as a one-woman man despite the incest taboo issue. This compared to his power-hungry twin/lover Cersei who, since Book 2, have been engaging in other sexual affairs. As always, it is always a pleasure to read Tyrion's POV parts.

And there, nothing much happened in July. My only travel was to Laguna. It was a field trip on the last day of the workshop. I would have loved to have a  full day's mountain hike. But for now, this short hike will do.

Sad to say, I failed to attend the Eiga Sai. I failed to watch DUP's Adarna. I failed to attend Cinemalaya 2013.

Fridate: Mexican Express/ Coffee Way, Maginhawa 05242013

Had a date with a beloved friend last night in Maginhawa. She knows the place too well, having been there countless times before. I, on the other hand, the scrimping student during my UP days, would rather have packed lunch or go home to eat. (And yes I feel like I missed out a lot in my life so now a corporate slave, I go back to UP and its surrounding places every once in a while to have a feel of what I missed.)

Maginhawa--- that place that has become synonymous to food trip haven, is a long street with bends and curves located near UP, and as such, is frequented by UP students and alumni. Friuli, Tomato Kick, Van Gogh is Bipolar, Rodic's, Moon Leaf, Crazy Katsu--- these are just some of the many small restaurants that have gained a cult following. Aside from the now popular restaurants, Maginhawa is home to the secondhand bookshop Bookay Ukay, where students get literary treasures at affordable prices. 

I've been to a few (Gayuma ni Maria, Moon Leaf, Friuli, Ate Fe's Kitchen, etc.) and am hoping to get to know more (and eat more) about Maginhawa's restaurants. Last night, we visited Mexican Express. I have been bugging my friend to take me to someplace with good Mexican fare and she suggested this. Imagine my delight when I saw their giant taco (P149)! It's got no jalapeno though but one can order it as an extra item for P20 (or was that P25?).

phone cam sucks but WTH!!! Just go visit Mexican Express and they'll fix your taco cravings!

I also tried their cheese flautas, apparently my friend's favorite. She says when stumped as to what to order, she asks for these. And they're lovely! I love the texture, how it gradually shifts from slightly crispy to soft and then you get to the cheesy part. YUMMY!

After our appetizer, we went to Coffee Way. Earlier when we passed by said café, my friend told me it´s got budget meals. Being broke (from my many travels), I just couldn't resist budget meals. I ordered Beef Pesto with tomato (P80), curiosity getting the best of me again. AND I'M HAPPY WITH WHAT I WAS SERVED!!! Pesto has always been a favorite and when cooked with beef, it simply is wonderful. (Yes, I just added it on my list of foods to replicate at home.)

I'm looking forward to trying out more at Maginhawa. It certainly is a budgetarian foodie's heaven on earth.

Saturdate: Salsa Verde/ UP 05112013

Two weeks ago, I met up with a friend at Farmer's Cubao. We took a jeep going to Recto along Aurora Boulevard. Our destination: Salsa Verde in Greenhills Town Center. It was not that accessible, or maybe it's just that I am not familiar with the place? The jeepney driver dropped us at Belmonte when it should have been Granada, and we had to walk a looong way to get to our target place. We should have taken LRT 2 instead damn it!

So imagine how sweaty we were when we got inside Salsa Verde. (Note: It was my first time in Greenhills Town Center and I'm happy to find that it's got many small restaurants inside. I would love to go back there and try out the food from different establishments.)

My friend had soft shell steak (P155) whereas I had 4 wings (Mango Habanero) and garlic rice (P145), plus salsa (P20) on the side. Tasted okay except the soft shell steak lacks the kick of spices that I am expecting. (I love Mexican food and I especially love the strong spices used so when I encounter mild Mexican food, I get disappointed. I do understand however, that restos would try to suit foreign foods to the local palate. This compromises authenticity which is for me a bad thing.)

I'm disappointed to find that the 4 wings are actually 2 pieces of wings halved, making it 4. It's my first time to eat mango habanero so I do not know how it should really taste, but I find the wings tasty. It's sweet and the taste of mangoes on it add a certain flavor that goes well with the chicken. (And I am hoping to replicate this at home soon.) The salsa is, in a word, summer-y. Very refreshing and you know it's made fresh.

After lunch, we headed to UP and just chatted a lot while watching people play frisbee near Quezon Hall. I miss my UP days. We both are thinking of going to back to school but haven't decided which course to pursue yet.