Ring in the new

The last day of 2019 was spent celebrating old traditions, like lunch with Mark at North Park, and Media Noche with the family at home.

At the stroke of midnight, we watched fireworks light up the sky, jumped, and was greeted by our family on the other side of the world. Dad was particularly gregarious with his greeting.

It was a rollercoaster year for me in 2019, and i’m looking forward to the ride that is 2020!

Good enough for Mee

One of my favorite things to order in SG is Prawn Mee.

They usually serve it 2 ways: soupy and dry. The Hawker Center in Golden Mile serves one of the best Prawn Mees, and I hie off to that place each time i’m there.

During my last visit to SM Megamall, I saw this fairly new SG food place called “Nanyang,” and they served Prawn Mee! Needless to say, I had to try it.

It’s a pretty good bowl of Prawn Mee. Not as great as the original one, but until I go to visit SG, this bowl of Mee will definitely tie me over.

On the Gogh

Since there aren't good movies in the cinema, Mark and I decided to do channel our artistic talents somewhere else.

To Sip and Gogh, in particular.

We hied off to their Kapitolyo branch and decided to become painterly that afternoon. At Sip and Gogh, you can choose which painting you wish to copy, and we both decided to do "Starry, Starry Night," an iconic Vincent Van Gogh painting.

It was a fun, relaxing and therapeutic process. Mixing the colors, sipping drinks, letting the brush fly on the canvas, eating canapes - these disparate activities all came together seamlessly.

And by the end of the 2+ hour session, Mark and I had our masterpieces!

We're definitely doing this again!

OMG!

Onigiri! My Goodness!

Yes, we finally have the legit, 3-step Onigiri in Manila! It’s available at the biggest Family Mart branch in Makati, and they have it in 8 variants!

Take my money, please!

P.S. I ate 4 of these in 1 day!

FMM: How they've grown

One of the things we noticed this Christmas is that our nephews and nieces are all grown-up! Whereas a few years ago, they were little kids who would shriek at every toy they opened on Christmas eve, they're now young adults who are responsible and blazing their own trails in the world.

And since they're all grown-up, I'm sure their view of Christmas has changed, too. Maybe, like me, they now think less of gifts and more of memories, just like this classic Christmas song for grown-ups.



It may seem "motherhood statement-y", but at this juncture of my life, these are the things that I really do want for Christmas.

And in the immortal words of Gracie Lou Freebush in "Miss Congeniality":

"I really do want World Peace."

Twin Treats!

Look who’s back in the market?

It’s my favorite childhood ice cream treat - Twin Popsies!

We used to have this a lot as kids, mainly because Dad worked for San Miguel. We’d get these by the box, and enjoy it by pairs. We’d split the treat into two, and a sibling and I would get one each. Sometimes, if you split it the wrong way, one person would get a “P” shaped, one and a half part, while the other person would just get half of half.

Thankfully, that didn’t happen often.

Now that Twin Popsies is back, we can relive those moments again! And yes, it also comes in orange flavor - my personal favorite.

This is going to give “twinning” a totally new meaning.

Christmas Cuteness

Let me celebrate the joy of Christmas Day with the joy of seeing my adorable grandnephew Noah in full Christmas attire.

Seeing this is one of the best gifts this Christmas.

Fam-ished

This Christmas eve, both my heart and tummy are full.

Family is here. Food is here. Let the celebrations begin!

Are you feeling Lucky?

I'm glad that some things never change. Like the goodness of the empanaditas at Lucky 21 in Kamuning.

It's the taste of childhood. And I'm reliving it now.

Aristocracy

One of my favorite CX stories is the one about the foodie habits of its flight attendants.

Once the last flight from HKG to MNL lands, the flight attendants are brought to Sofitel where they rest until the first flight the next day. And en route to Sofitel from NAIA, they pass through Roxas Boulevard.

According to Tanya, before they go to Sofitel, the FAs - particularly the HK Chinese - insist that they drop by Aristocrat Restaurant to buy chicken barbecue.

For them, it's one of the best tasting dishes. So much so that they have to make a brief stop, everytime.

I don't blame them, though. It's really good stuff.

I should know. I had it again recently! Yum!

Hey, Sister, go, Sister!

From across the miles, Happy Birthday to my sister who's the epitome of mommy-hood.

Happy Birthday Ate Lissa! Let's celebrate together next year!

FMM: Give me a line

Abe, Reygo and I were talking about 80s music, which was appropriate since it was a Friday Magic Madness day.

We talked about whether we were Team Duran Duran or Team Spandau Ballet - a common question asked preppy teens back then. And I was both. Actually, I liked the melodies of Duran Duran, but preferred the lyrics of Spandau Ballet songs.

I've written about Spandau Ballet a few times before, and how lyrical the lyrics of "Round and Round" is. Until now, it's still one of my favorite Spandau Ballet songs.

But coming in at a close second is this upbeat ditty, "Lifeline."



Now this is a line I wouldn't mind hearing over and over again.

Fun with the office family

It’s true. I don’t “work” in an “office.”

I have fun in a “second home’ where I’m in the company of my “second family” almost every day.

I’m lucky to spend everyday with fun and wacky people like these!

Taco the town

So, this is how Taco Bell’s tacos look like in photos:

And here it is in real life.

I’m in advertising. I should expect this.

Cool canine

Everyday in Emerald Avenue, I run across an adorable dog who gets walked around twice a day. I assume he’s from one of the condos and needs to stretch his big, hefty legs around the neighborhood.

Because he’s big and fuzzy, his favorite hang-out is the air vent at Prestige Tower. Oftentimes, he stops and sits there for a few minutes.

I can imagine how comfy this must feel for him.

Isn’t that cool?

Mos in Manila

Yet again, another favorite Japanese chain is opening in Manila.

Mark and I often go to Mos Burger for their sandwiches. I’d often order the Shrimp Burger and he’d order their specialty.

The last time I had this was in HKG.

And now it’s here!

Finally, another restaurant to add to our repertoire.

Sharp shark

While buying seeds at Quezon Circle, I discovered a new type of dumpling!

I wonder what pins on a shark look like.

Proofreader, please.

Nothing Wong with Reeves

Speaking of Keanu Reeves...

Have you seen him in the Ali Wong Netflix flick "Always be my Maybe"?

He was hilarious!

And needless to say, Ali Wong was hilarious, too.

And Randall Park.

And Vivian Bang (the girl who played Jenny.)

Heck, I can watch this movie again and again and again. (Confession: I already did.)

FMM: Amidst the rush

Since everyone's rushing to complete their Christmas shopping today - it's a Payday/Weekend after all - let me play an appropriate Friday Magic Madness song for the season.

This is a classic 90s ditty from the queen of dance herself, Paula Abdul!



One of the things that made this video an even bigger classic is that it featured a relatively-new and very young Keanu Reeves. I'm sure you've spotted him already.

Enough typing. Time to rush, rush!

Shop talk

I'm sure that everyone and their Mothers are currently on-line and shopping to their heart's content. This is a red-letter day for shopping, of course.

Behold:

I still can't get over the fact that someone spent P1.2 million during the 11.11 sale.

Let's see if that record will be broken this month.

Daddy-Yo!

Yo Dad!

Hope our greeting sends warmth amidst the cold winter of Utah!

Wishing you more happiness, health and blessings, Dad!

Tease Ortiz

There's another H&M collaboration in town, hot off the heels of Giambattista Valli!

Now, it's Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz!

Known for her South American flair and love for prints, her dresses are vibrant, and full of joie-de-vivre!

There's a limited preview sale of some of her pieces this month, while the entire collection drops in March 2020.

While waiting for that, let me get my hands on the dress that caught my eye immediately.

Can't wait to see the other pieces in her collection!

Love Shack

The second branch of Shake Shack has opened in Megamall!

We were interested to try it last Friday, but the lines were just too crazy long.

Good thing I've already tried it in Tokyo.

We'll wait until the hype dies down.

All Hail!

It's one of my favorite religious holidays and Holy days of obligation. The Immaculate Conception of Mary.

Probably because I was formed in a Marian school, but I have this strong affinity and interest in Mama Mary. Her story, her triumph, and her guidance.

Happy Feast of the Immaculate Conception!

Succ-Seed

When we were kids, one of the landmarks in QC was Manila Seedling Bank Foundation.

You could find it at the corner of Quezon Avenue and EDSA, and it was the place to find plants, fruit-bearing trees, and other things you needed to help your green thumb flourish.

For the longest time, I thought it was still there. But to my surprise, they're not! Apparently, they had to move out due to the Ayala development next door.

Though the plants and trees are gone, it turns out their office is still around. They just transferred across the street, though they don't sell seeds and plants any longer. (Boo!)

Now I have to find my seeds somewhere else.

FMM: Super!

Since I'm still on a Disney high, this week's Friday Magic Madness song will be Disney-themed, too.

It's the song from the most loved "Mary Poppins," and most of the people from my generation know this song:



It's been a while since I last heard this song. And now, it's stuck in my head. Again.

Moshi Moshi Mitsukoshi!

The news has finally been confirmed.

Mitsukoshi - one of my favorite department stores in Japan - is landing on Philippine shores!

They're opening their first branch in BGC. And if they'll carry the same merchandise as they do in Japan, this is going to be SO good!

Sugoi ne!

Yes, I'm that guy...

The Bowler Hat Guy, to be exact.

As a person who's notorious for being a "goody two-shoes," it was fun playing the villain for a night.

Play bowl!

Who would've thought that a bowler hat would be difficult to find here in the metro.

Thankfully, I'm very persistent and patient in going through every obscure shop in the vicinity to find it.

And I did!

Just in time for tomorrow. Whew!

Mom’s the word, yet again!

This picture says it all.

Happy Birthday Mom! You truly are a blessing to us all.

Last one

Just like that, we’re down to our last month of the year.

It’s December!

There are so many things to look forward to this month.

I just can’t wait!