About heavenliner

a twisted little soul... people see me to be so delicious they sometimes want to eat me...

Nengkoy’s Movies, Sarah’s Wigs, My Day-Off

Posted on June 9, 2014 by heavenliner

nengkoy: a great tagalog movie buddy

Are you the type of Philippine inhabitant who has difficulty looking for a friend whom you can drag to a cinema to watch a Filipino movie?

I am.

Fortunately, I have Nengkoy. This is because every time I crave to watch a Filipino flick I could easily drag my mother to the nearest movie house. Aside from her senior citizen discount, what is good thing about Nengkoy is that she doesn’t want to watch any Hollywood movie!

Thus, if I am channeling the “persona of every domestic-helper-on-a-day-off”, she could be a great movie buddy and companion.

In actual fact, I along with a couple of the members of my zany family was with Nengkoy at SM Mall of Asia. We watched the cheesy movie of Sarah Geronimo and Coco Martin entitled Maybe This Time.

maybe this time movie poster (taken from google images)

I would not want to be critical and diagnostic on how bad the movie was. What is good about this types of movies is that you need not bring a lot of brain cells to analyze, digest and comprehend it. Besides, I had too much thinking and analyzing already. So in general, I enjoyed it. I liked it because it gave me a couple of laughs.

Coco Martin was surprisingly comical, diverse and atypical! But the big revelation was Sarah Geronimo. The sweet girl can act. Too bad she no longer sport those ill-fitting wigs she wore in her movies with John Lloyd Cruz. I miss those atrocious wigs! The movie could have been more hilarious if she did!

Na relaks naman ako impernes…

Undercover Boss Makes My Heart Melt

Posted on June 8, 2014 by heavenliner

It’s the reality show that doesn’t have a loser because no one gets eliminated. It’s a reality show that is not a contest but everybody in the end turns out to become a winner. It’s a reality show in which auditioning is not needed. And lastly, it is the reality show in which the setting is not in a controlled environment. I am talking about the Undercover Boss shown here in the Philippines under Solar News Channel.

Undercover Boss talks and tackles what real life really is. As in the real life! It’s as genuine as it can be about family, work, hobbies, dreams, personal struggles, frustrations and aspirations. Aside from the boss being subjected to actual physical labor, what I like most about this show is how people’s passion and drive to succeed are presented, may you be a boss or a simple employee. I see Undercover Boss not a show about job or work but more about human relations. It is about social and interpersonal relations between human beings.

jeff platt, ceo of sky zone... he last episode I have so far seen...

jeff platt, ceo of sky zone (a goodhearted prince of generosity)… the last episode that i have seen and made me copiously weep

Each episode is a true heart melt-er! Especially during the ‘boss reveal’ portion of the show. These bosses would shower their deserving staff with gifts, opportunities and brighter future. Niagara Falls would always gush out of my eyes and there would always be a lump in my throat at the end each episode because of the moving and exceeding generosity of those featured bosses. These business owners or corporate executives just turn out to be real life angels sent by some heavenly gods!

Call it a great marketing device, but because of these moving kindness, every time I finished watching an episode I would always want to try out the product or service of the company that was featured. Too bad (or call it fortunately) these companies does not run business here in Manila.

Masarap maging mabait. Pramis.

The Sophisticated Saltiness of Alaminos Longganisa

Posted on June 1, 2014 by heavenliner

one heavenly piece of alaminos longganisa

After an awesome adventure at the Hundred Islands, I and my friends stayed overnight in one of the forgettable hotels in Alaminos. But the breakfast they served was definitely something to remember and rave about. It was the un-popular yet very tasty Alaminos Longganisa. I am writing about Alaminos Longganisa because this is the culinary highlight of my Hundred Islands adventure.

Vigan, Lucban, Cebuano or the Kapampangan longganisa versions may be the more popular varieties of “longganisa” (native sausage) for they may easily be found in the supermarkets. And Alaminos longganisa may probably be the least adored longganisa variety in the Philippines because a lot of Filipinos doesn’t even know that an Alaminos version exists!

But the Alaminos Longganisa is definitely the most admired type in my mother’s household. That is why before I and my friends drove back to Manila, we stopped by the public market to purchase kilos of this delectable banger variety.

golden links for sale at the public market in alaminos

Unlike the Cebuano and Kapampangan type which are rather sweet in taste, Alaminos longganisa is similar to the Vigan and Lucban variety which is garlicky in the palate. But what stands out for the Alaminos variety is the discriminatingly unique and refined saltiness. Maybe this is because it has less of the curing salt (the menacing salitre) and got more of the natural sea salt which is abundantly available in Alaminos, Pangasinan.

I am highlighting the unique sophisticated saltiness of this sausage as its finest ingredient because Nengkoy believes that the best tasting coarse salt is made and can only be found in Alaminos, Pangasinan. Nengkoy so fancy the taste of Alaminos sea salt, she would even request that her pasalubong (home coming present) simply be kilos of this salt if a friend or a relative happen to be coming from Alaminos. Yeah, I know that’s how weird my mom is! Asin ang gusto.

Anyway, going back to the Alaminos Longganisa. Aside from its superb taste, a distinct look about the Alaminos Longganisa is the color. It’s yellow! This is because it has atsuete (annatto) as part of its ingredient. That is why unlike the salitre-filled usually red-colored native sausages, Alaminos Longganisa when cooked turns out to be golden brown in appearance.

Also, a unique form of this sausage is the usage of short and thin palm leaves’ midrib sticks to separate each sausage link from one another. To keep the meat bursting out of its sausage casing, these wood sticks are actually fried along with the meat and is served still on the plate sticking out from the ends of the sausage!

So if you happen to have been served a golden brown sausage with small sticks on it, it is most probably the glorious Alaminos longganisa! Of course, like any other Filipino longganisa, Alaminos longganisa is best devoured with loads of steamed kanin (rice).

Naimas…

The Unique Charm of the Hundred Islands

Posted on May 31, 2014 by heavenliner

hundred islands, a totally different adventure

Having close encounters with the Taklobo or Giant Clams, colorful corrals and vibrant schools of fish are the highlights of my recent journey to the Hundred Islands in Alaminos, Pangasinan (a calm and peaceful province north of Metro Manila). I was so glad to have the opportunity to snorkel in the deep blue waters (of the Coral Island) in this portion of the Lingayen Gulf. I have been a couple of times to this gorgeous protected national park and I am glad that the islands were still jarringly beautiful.

I really like the fact that it would be very difficult for people to stay overnight in the islands because there are no luxurious room facilities available in these islands which would tend to spoil, destruct and deteriorate the natural splendor of the place.

Among the more than 120 islands of the park I think only four are allowed for tourists to stay overnight. People who would want to stay overnight would only have to settle on pitching their own tent/s and pray that unforgiving heavy rain won’t fall and gust of viscous wind won’t blow during the night. Otherwise, it would be some messy, muddled and shambolic escapade.

with lambert, jun and willie

now, how can you construct toilets on those islands? aber!

my magic shot of jb…

those rickety pump boats are not for the fainthearted

Some two-legged squeamish finicky creatures may actually say and declare that they hate the park due to its inadequate or lacking in facilities – like drinking fountains, toilets, luxurious restaurants, air conditioned huts, high-class smooth sailing speedboats, etc. – in the islands.

But for me these add up to the unique charm and appeal of this Philippine tourist spot. It totes up to the rugged virginity of the place. This makes you feel that these harsh islands remains to be untouched, unexplored, undamaged and indeed intact. That the environment and its ecosystem is nothing but ‘natural’. So when you’re in the Hundred Islands, simply embrace nature’s beauty and expect the unexpected! Besides, that’s what fun is about!!!

Hundred Islands is not a fluid, easy and relaxing type of an escapade. It is for the rough, tough and jagged type of an adventurer. This distinct characters of the Hundred Islands makes me love and fancy this erstwhile Philippine tourist destination.

Kakaibang adbentyur… di pwede sa lelembot-lembot…

Super Love Super Love

Posted on May 16, 2014 by heavenliner

The mighty Dami Army must be very happy today. This is because today is the day the fresh new single of Dami Im has been released entitled Super Love. Being a self-confessed member of the Dami Army (I follow her in Facebook), I myself has excitedly been looking forward to this new super upbeat of a song.

The message is positive, the tune is catchy, the singer is remarkably charming and talented. What I particularly like about the fun and fabulous video was the diversity of human race that was featured being touched by a super hero played by Dami who chants “nothing can bring us down, we got the super love”. While my favorite line of the song would be, “I wanna breathe you in and never breathe you out”. That is just boom brilliant!!!

This song will definitely be the constant tune inside my house for the next several days! Super Love it!

Katulad ng palaman lang sa tinapay, Spred da Super Lab!

A Painting In Corregidor

Posted on May 13, 2014 by heavenliner

the guns… one of the popular fixtures in corregidor

About two weeks ago while having a quiet weekend breakfast with Nengkoy, I learned that my family have close affiliation to that of the historic Island of Corregidor. During this peaceful breakfast, Nengkoy told me that her mother (Lola Teray) actually lived and inhabited the island of Corregidor for a considerable amount of time.

Nengkoy told me that Lola Teray (though was born in Naic, Cavite) lived with the rest of her family in Corregidor when the island was still under the control of the Americans. In fact, Nengkoy’s eldest sister (Aunt Lydia, who is now based in Canada) was born there. She also told me that Lola Teray and the rest of her family was living at the Bottomside of the island where Barrio San Jose was located.

Three Sundays ago, I got the pleasant chance to again visit Corregidor. It has again been an enlightening tour and visit. I learned from the tour guide that since the island was controlled by the Americans, Filipinos born in Corregidor in the past are given the option of either being an American or a Filipino citizen. How cool is that!

The competent tour guide however raised that at present the island is no longer inhabited by anyone and is already preserved because it has been declared a National Shrine. Thus, there is no longer called a newly born Corregidor-ian.

But what truly moved and startled me was when I saw a rather small framed painting hanged on the wall of the Pacific War Museum (the last stop of the tour before heading back to Manila). Surprisingly, the prolific piece of art which I never noticed during my first visit was actually painted by no less than my late Uncle Dante. The younger brother of Nengkoy. This further confirmed that indeed, somewhere in the marrow of my bones can be found my affiliation to the Island of Corregidor.

a street in early corregidor by dante romasanta

Painted in 1960, the painting depicts the life of ordinary citizens of Corregidor and the usual dealings of the locals with the Americans prior to the horrific World War II. It’s a representation of a social drama which imbibes a superlative story telling skill through the usage of oil pigments and genius strokes of the brush.

At first sight the painting may seem chaotic. But at a longer glance, it actually presents a mantra of noisy energy contained by discipline, freedom and order that is miraculously held together. This I suppose is the glory of this painting.

super proud!

I thought I would surprise Nengkoy about this immense discovery during that breakfast. So when I told her about my finding Uncle Dante’s painting, she simply told me that she has known about it all along. And that she has long been immensely proud by this artistic feat achieved by his beloved brother.

Super prawd pamangkin hir!!!

A Fierce Little Woman: A Mother’s Day 2014 Special

Posted on May 11, 2014 by heavenliner

We don’t get to pick our mother, but if we did, I still would have chosen Nengkoy.

My spirit of self-sufficiency has come largely from my mother. Her generosity, resilience and sense of humor got my siblings and me easily passed through from bad times when we were kids. And now these are the qualities I try to offer my own nephews and nieces.

donya lang ang peg mo dito

I have always believe that Nengkoy has the sweetness and chicness of Barbie yet possess the heart and strong-mindedness of Joan of Arc. This Mother’s Day, let me honor Nengkoy for being such a fierce little woman!

O, taray diba?! Happy Mother’s Day Nanay…

Osaka Food Porn & My First Sazae Experience

Posted on May 11, 2014 by heavenliner

Call if favoritism, but I would like to believe that Osaka Prefecture is the culinary capital of Japan. This is the main reason why I gained so much weight! When in comes to food, Osaka has yet to fail me.

With my limited exposure to the dashing and colorful culinary world of Japan, I have been so fascinated by the colors and taste of lovely Osaka.

To prove my point, here are some awesome photos of food taken right at the streets of Osaka. The mere stunning looks of these digestibles already produces mild sense of euphoria.

hotdogs!!!

To add up to such already fascinating feast for the visual sense, I went further by becoming more adventurous. This is because I tried for the very first time a Japanese delicacy called Sazae or the Turbo Shell. At first, I was just fascinated on how plenty it was being sold on the side streets, until I set aside the wussy in me and urge my niece Erika to try it for ourselves.

step aside escargot… sazae is here…

Sazae is a big sea snail (as big as that of Dyesabel’s “kabibe”) cooked by directly grilling the shell with its meat inside. A little amount of liquid is poured inside the shell that is why it boils the meat while being grilled. Sazae is totally different from the usual French escargot, the latter are land snails while the former are deep sea snails.

otosan plating our order

sazae… a palatal encounter!

my first sazae…

When I picked the meat out from the shell, I must admit that it was pretty gross looking. Upon seeing it, I thought of eating and swallowing it quick the Fear Factor way, but I gave Sazae a chance since I planned to blog about it. I chewed on it and try to savor the palatal treat.

My first Sazae experience was not something like reaching the pinnacle of pleasure. It is because its taste was something to be used to. It is of the salty-bitter kind. It would be more of an acquired taste that would eventually grow in you. I guess it would be best if guzzled and washed down with a sparkling wine or an ice cold beer!

Ang kabibe kaya ni Dyesebel kapag ginataan, masarap?

Ippudo Ramen: A Very Good Second Best

Posted on April 22, 2014 by heavenliner

a caption at ippudo’s glass wall

Though heat is intensely shimmering in Metro Manila, hot ramen eateries and restaurants at the moment are experiencing some renaissance in this mega city. Like Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter spread in the past, ramen dishes today are a craze in this part of the world.

Since I am spending a fab holiday in Osaka, I will definitely not miss the enormous chance to eat ramen in this metropolis (at least twice). That is why, I coerced my family to eat again in a ramen house. This time we searched for the ramen joint that is pretty popular in Manila. It’s the Hakata Ippudo Ramen restaurant located just a few meters away from the Swissotel in Namba, Osaka.

I proved the popularity of this restaurant in the Philippines because when we reached the ramen house, there were considerable number of Filipino tourists queuing waiting for their turn to be seated. It was further amplified when it was our chance to enter the establishment. I noticed that about 80% of their guests were Filipinos.

the queue outside where pinoy tourists converge

as presented in their english menu…

Like what I did in Zondouya Ramen restaurant a couple of days ago (read my post about Zondouya HERE), I settled for the most expensive and biggest photo dish on the menu. Surprisingly, my order called Akamaru Special is pretty similar to Zembo-no, the ramen I enormously enjoyed in Zondouya.

My ordered Akamaru Special ramen also contains sheets of nori, soft-as-butter pork, freshly cut negi, a soft boiled egg, caramelized onions and garlic, plus a generous amount of “straight” noodles. (in Zondouya, I went for the “curly” variety.)

my enjoyable akamaru!

The speed and quality of service rendered by the staff in Ippudo is as fast and as charming as that of Zondouya. However, when my Akamaru Special was placed in front of me, the first thing I noticed was the presentation. I straightforwardly uttered, “In terms of presentation, one point for Zondouya!”

I could no longer resist my comparing when I started stirring and mixing the ingredients in my bowl. Before I uttered another word, I internalize and justified that comparison is one of the fundamental processes of the human mind. And we define things in terms of their similarities and differences.

akamaru to the left, zenbo-no to the right. now you choose…

I then uttered in a pretty loud voice, “In terms of thickness and full-bodied-ness, another point for Zondouya!” My nieces and nephews indisputably agreed with me. My niece Erika seated beside me expressed that Zondouya’s Zembo-no looks richer while Ippudo’s Akamaru was runnier in terms of thickness.

Now the taste. Tactlessly speaking, I articulated saying, “In terms of taste, another point for Zondouya!” Some Pinoy guests at the waiting area and nearby tables were starting to look at me, as if wondering what ramen was I comparing Ippudo’s version with. Nevertheless, I voiced out that Ippudo’s slices of pork were smoother and actually melts in the mouth. I uttered, “one point for Ippudo for the softness of the pork, nonetheless!” The Pinoy guests looked down onto their bowls and resumed their munching.

But the softness of the pork could not counterweight the enormous savory taste of Zondouya’s broth. Like a lot of ramen experts, I have always believed that the success of a ramen dish all depends on the palatability of the broth. A lot of ramen connoisseurs would even do massive research and experimentations just to achieve the perfect broth. For me personally, Zondouya’s broth formula is truly magical. Ipuddo’s version nonetheless is very good.

To simply conclude my comparison between Ipuddo and Zondouya, I personally requested to meet the chef in the latter while for the former we stepped out of the establishment happy and thought to myself, I should celebrate differences. That not all things are equal, some things needs to be less pretty so as to further appreciate others beauty.

Masarap din inperness…

Lawiswis Kawayan at Sagano Bamboo Forest

Posted on April 20, 2014 by heavenliner

Since Japan has such an excellent train and subway system, it is always such a breeze to go around. That is why while staying in Osaka, I and my family decided to go to nearby Kyoto for a third visit.

breathtaking

love love love,,,

Many bloggers and world travel enthusiasts voted this place as one of the fifty places that a person should go to before dying. I could not agree more! I am actually honored and humbled and slightly freaked out when I was given this beautiful opportunity to be in such a breathtaking place.

The Sagano Bamboo Forest in Arashimaya, Kyoto is one breathtaking spot in this planet. A sense of serene tranquility permeates from this lush bamboo scenery. While traversing the narrow path, it felt like Mother Nature was giving my whole delicious body a warm comfortable hug.

my family from afar, posing for some photo opp

love it!

The enchanting sound of the bamboos swaying back and forth against the light wind is something to behold. It was like listening to an angel singing while feeding someone else’s soul. I was not surprised to know that as per amazingplaceonearth.com, this enchanting music-like-resonance is a must-be-preserved sound in Japan as declared by the Japanese government.

It was such a wonder to behold!

Pangkat kawayan ang peg ko dito!

Nengkoy

ruminations & travesties of the favorite yet naughty son of Nengkoy

Author Archives: heavenliner