Grimace-inducing memories

Mom was cleaning up some of the cabinets in the house. She found this and immediately knew that this was mine.

It's a Grimace stuffed toy!

Grimace is very memorable and is an indelible part of my teen years. When I was 17 years old and working at McDonald's, they'd sometimes ask me to wear the Grimace costume and perform the "Wiggle, Wiggle" dance during kiddie parties.

While it was fun and I'd get a kick out of it, the whole process was difficult because I had to bend my knees to make Grimace look short and stubby. As a character, he's supposed to be stubby, and I was 5'10", so a tall Grimace just wouldn't cut it.

Thus, I'd spend about 15 minutes with knees bent, dancing to the delight of kids. It was difficult, yes, but hearing the kids laughing and cheering always made the discomfort worth it.

And that's why Grimace is very memorable.

And that's why I still have this Grimace toy with me.

A Steak in the Conversation

Both Mom and Dad are avid and excellent cooks. 

Even as kids, both my parents worked wonders in the kitchen and made every meal time a special one. From Dad's special beef pochero where he would make an actual "pochero bar" where we could assemble the pochero the way we wanted to, to Mom's chicken empanada which she'd make from scratch.

They love food so much that we usually talk about food even while eating. Such was the case during dinner last Thursday.

After hearing the news of Alfredo's Steak House closing, we reminisced all the steak places we had easy access to when we were living in Morato. The most obvious one was Mario's since it was just 2 houses away from us. There's Alfredo's which was just 1 block away. Then, there was Tamarind Grill across the street.

The entire dinner was a conversation about steaks, so it sorta didn't come as a surprise when we had this for lunch yesterday.

It's Tuna Belly Steak! Smothered in butter and generously topped with toasted garlic. 

Our conversation must've been so intense that they couldn't get steaks out of their mind. And what the mind can conceive, Mom and Dad will achieve.

FMM: Two-gether

Lest you think that Odie being dragged out of the pound to be put down was the end of "Here Comes Garfield," it's not.

The ending is actually a happy one. 

After they grabbed Odie, Garfield rallied the other dogs in the pound to go against the oppressive leader. Then, they all overpowered him and were able to gain their freedom. And with that, Garfield and Odie came back home together to the chagrin - and delight - of Jon.

That happy scene was punctuated by this song, again from Desiree Goyette and Lou Rawls. Entitled "Together Again," it's today's happy Friday Magic Madness song.

Because best friends - whether they're cats and dogs - deserve to be together.

Bliss in a box

Those words would best describe my recent discovery - Vinamilk Tea Bliss.

Considering that it's a pre-packaged milk tea, the flavour of this is really fresh. It has that distinct wintermelon taste, the right amount of tea and milk, and it's super refreshing.

My only comment would be how small the pack is. I'm able to finish the whole box in 2 sips and can finish 3 of these in one sitting.

If they have a 1-liter pack of this, then that would really be blissful!

Gold. Finger.

Because of the articles I've been reading online about Cloud 9 Gold Caramel Nut Crisp, there was a lot of intrigue about the product on my part.

That's why when I chanced upon it at the supermarket, instinct led to me grab and buy a few bars.

Verdict: IT"S TRUE! 

This variant of Cloud 9 Gold is a lot like Butterfinger!

Of course, nothing beats the original. But in case it's not available in stores, this will be a good back-up.

WATN: (Not) Over the Hill

Lauryn Hill has one of the most captivating voices in American music. It's so soulful and smooth, and whether she's doing a ballad or a rap, the emotion of the lyrics pierce through and hit you directly.

My ears first heard the magic of Lauryn Hill was during her stellar performance in "Sister Act 2."

Whether she sang "His eye on the Sparrow" or "Joyful, Joyful," you can't help but be mesmerized by her voice and presence.

Then, she sang "Killing me softly" with The Fugees, and her more upbeat rendition gave a unique and fresh take to the Roberta Flack original.

When her album "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" came out, in 1988 I rushed to Music One to get a CD.  That CD was on repeat whenever I was at work and working overtime, especially "Doo Wop (That thing.)"

Until now, this song is on repeat, and I've been listening to it on a daily basis for months. now. I've also been watching her youtube performances of the same song from more recent shows in the US, and it's as engaging and head-bopping now as it was then.

This makes me wonder where she is now and when she's going to make new music. We need to hear more of Lauryn Hill, stat!

Goody-goody Onigiri

Passed by the 7-11 near our office and spotted their Onigiri.

Bought it to see if it's as good as the ones in Japan.

Sugoi ne! They are! This Salmon Mayo Onigiri is da bomb! The nori wrap was crispy and had a hint of sweetness. The rice is nice and sticky. And they didn't scrimp on the filling. There was a lot!

Okay! This is now going to be my go-to for a quick and good Onigiri in Manila.

Que Horror!

Thanks to Netflix, more and more Spanish films and series are made available to us in the Philippines.

One of their most famous imports is "La Casa de Papel," or better known as "Money Heist." It's so popular that they now have international versions of the film.

This weekend, we were able to catch this Spanish action/horror film from 2020. 

The English title is "Valley of the Dead," which doesn't have that much of a ring to it unlike the original title "Malnazidos." 

Though the genre isn't new, and we've been seeing Zombie films since as far back as the 60s, there are a lot of elements of this film that feel fresh and new. Which makes it a fun film to watch.

Oh, and I tried watching it in Spanish to help me brush up on my Espanol. But I had to revert back to English after a few minutes.

Spag-Hot-ti

While rummaging through the kitchen cabinet in search of something to eat for an afternoon snack, I chanced upon this pack of Nongshim Chapagetti.

Maybe it's because of watching "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" and some other Korean movies, but there was a sudden urge to eat a bowl of Korean noodles. So, after snagging the pack and preparing it per packaging instructions, it was time for the Spicy Chapagetti.

Gosh! Spicy it was! Just a few mouthfuls and my forehead was sweaty already. But compared to that Super Spicy Buldak noodle, this was more bearable.

While this hot Korean Spaghetti was good, give me the classic Pinoy-style Spaghetti anytime!

FMM: Frenemies to Friends

Both in the comic strip and the animated series, Garfield and Odie are the quintessential frenemies. They're cats and dogs, for Pete's sake.

Often, you'll see Garfield beating up Odie, and Odie doesn't retaliate. Instead, he'll just gingerly lick Garfield's face to show that he doesn't take offense.

But there's a pivotal scene in the TV film "Here Comes Garfield" in 1982. 

Garfield and Odie were captured in a pound and were locked up together in a cold jail cell. It was raining outside, and Odie was shivering while lying on the cold, concrete floor. That's when Garfield hugged him and realized that he can't live without his frenemy.

That scene was made even more emotional by the song that was playing in the background. The same song which is today's Friday Magic Madness song.

"So long, old friend" by Desiree Goyette upped the EQ of this song by 1000000x! As a very young kid, watching this scene made me bawl non-stop. Then, when we were in High School, we watched this film again, and I bawled like a young kid again.

Even now, 40 years since this film aired, I'd watch it and still get teary eyed whenever this scene comes up.

It's such a powerful song - and scene - on friendship.

And of course it's Garfield! That makes all the difference.

Taking Tokyo to Town

Looks like 7-Eleven in the Philippines is really serious about catching up to its Asian neighbours in terms of its snack and prepared food line-up.

Whenever we're in Tokyo, Mark and I both marvel at the breadth of snack options in 7-i. Of course, our all-time fave are the onigiris in all shapes and types. 

The same onigiri is also available in 7-Eleven stores in South Korea and SG. And I've been wondering when they'll have it here.

The answer came early this year when they launched this.

When you can't go to Tokyo (yet), let Tokyo come to you!

(Mi)doors closing

Because of its proximity to my former flat in Jordan, Mido Cafe in Yau Ma Tei was one of my most visited cafes in HKG.

Usually on weekends, I'd wake up early and walk to Mido to get breakfast. It's usually my fave - condensed milk and peanut butter toast, with milk tea. I never got tired of this combo even if I had it several times a week.

Because of its fame, Mido Cafe would usually have long lines outside, much like Australian Dairy Co. To beat the crowd, I'd go there really, really early.

While I dream of visiting Mido Cafe again, that'll just be a dream now. Apparently, they're closing down after more than 70 years.

Gosh, the pandemic claims another HKG icon. Hopefully, when things are finally back to normal-normal, they'll pick-up where they left off and open their doors again.

In Theory

It's a known fact that I'm not a very fashionable person.

My preferences in fashion are very plain and basic. Back in college, my uniform consisted of jeans and plain t-shirts. That carried over until now - except when we have client meetings with upper management. Those days, I have to look half-decent and wear jeans with plain oxford shirts.

Because of this no-nonsense approach to fashion, I've always been drawn to the aesthetic of the brand Theory.

This New York-based brand is known for their very sparse and basic designs, but always with a twist. Whether it's the fabric, the seaming, or the silhouette. They were very popular during 2010 to 2014 when Olivier Theyskens was at the helm of the house. Theyskens is known for his penchant of transforming something basic into something visually interesting.

This is precisely the reason why whenever Uniqlo comes out with a collaboration with Theory, I make it a point to score a few shirts from the collection. Just like these ones:

The fabric is super soft and comfortable, the shape is loose and easy, and it's a perfect shirt to wear when you don't want to think of what to wear.

That's the theory - nay, the truth - why I'm a fan of this brand.

Missing Muji

Muji always brings back good memories.

When I was still living in HKG, one of the stores that I never got tired of visiting was Muji in Mira Place. It was my "black hole" before Uniqlo came along.

I'd walk in, check out snacks and stationery items, and suddenly, more than an hour passed. Then, I'd walk b y their clothing section, then another hour would fly by.

There's something about Muji that's so calming. That's why it's so easy to just hang out in that store.

Then, there's the Muji in Tokyo Midtown. It's the place where I'd be while waiting for Mark to finish his classes. 

It's been a while since I last stepped into a Muji store. Last March, I dropped off my cousins from Spain at Muji in Greenbelt because they wanted to shop there. As much as I wanted to accompany them inside, there were other errands that needed to be done.

One of my colleagues said that there's a huge Muji store in Shangrila Plaza Mall. And now that I'm writing about Muji and missing it a lot more, I'll have to visit that store very soon.

LFLTAT: K, fine

It's something I've noticed since my first trip to Korea.

The Korean sense of fashion.

Their way of dress - whether traditional garbs or street wear - have a distinct look. It's so distinct that you can actually use their country name as an adjective. Like: "Her outfit is so Korean!"

It's something that's also evident in the few Korean series that I catch on Netflix. Whether it's a rom-com, an action film, a mystery-thriller or a drama, the characters are always distinctly - and beautifully - dressed.

One of the recurring fashion themes is the pencil skirt and turtle neck blouse. This is their usual office wear, and it's usually topped with a trench coat or a loose blazer during spring or winter. But during summer, or while they're in their office, the pencil skirt and blouse is a go-to for women.

That look is what inspired this LFLTAT.

The top is an old top from Maldita. It's something I've written about 2 years ago. 

It's a top with a mock turtle neck and draped sleeves. The fabric is cotton jersey, so it's perfect for the local weather. And it has a muted colour - another recurring Korean theme.

Then, there's the pencil skirt from Zalora. But to give it a fashionable twist, it's a wrap skirt with a subtle drape in front. And it's dusty pink hue is a perfect match for the gray top.

For an outfit that's less than P800, this ensemble is not just okay, it's a "K"!

So extraordinary

The Korean Nettflix series, "Extraordinary Attorney Woo", appeals to me because of 2 reasons:

1. The lead character - Attorney Woo - is in the autism spectrum, just like my nephew.

2. She's also a lawyer - something I aspired to be when I was younger.

Aside from these, the stories per episode are engaging, surprising and timely. And true to the Korean genre, they're also unexpected.

Particularly, the twist of Episode 2 caught me unaware, and in a good way. Seeing the character development of the bride just made me smile.

It's rare that I watch a Korean series. But this series wooed me and has me hooked.

FMM: Rock & Rawls

Who doesn't know the iconic voice of Lou Rawls?

His voice is so distinct. So, buttery-soft and smooth. He sings in a way that's commanding yet calming. People will also say that his voice is very sensual. Which is true.

While he's best known for songs like "You'll never find another love like mine," that's not the song that made me familiar with his work.

And you'll be surprised at what song first made me familiar with Lou Rawls. It's the song for today's Friday Magic Madness:

Yes, it's a song from the cartoon show "Garfield."

As a kid, I'd watch the old Garfield animated series, and one episode featured this song. Once it played, I couldn't help but ask: "Who is this singer?" After finding out who, everything was history.

Thanks to Garfield, here comes Lou Rawls again.

Nuts about Singapore

It's been 3 years since my last trip to SG.

Frankly, I'm missing my trips - routine and random - to the city. And I'm hoping I can go back there soon. Very soon.

In the meantime, let me nosh on these.

Nut exactly the same thing, but it'll do.

To the left(ies), to the left(ies)

In Spain, Inditex is a mega-company that owns some of the biggest fast fashion brands. These are fashion brands that are renowned the world over, including Zara, Massimo Dutti, Pull & Bear, Stradivarius, among others.

These brands are well-known in the Philippines as well. Personally, my closet has smattering of pieces from these brands - some bought abroad, some bought here.

But among Inditex's portfolio of brands, there's one that's not as well-known in the Philippines. Among its brands, this is actually their most affordable line, similar to what G.U. is to Uniqlo. That brand is Lefties.

Needless to say, I discovered this brand during one of my trips to Spain. And walking into their store felt like walking into Penshoppe or Bench in the Philippines. Lots of fashionable and trendy basics, and the prices were uber affordable. 

Think shirts for 3 Euros.

Now, why did I suddenly remember this brand? While looking for a pair of chinos in my closet, there was this pair of jeans hidden in the leftmost part, hidden behind my suits and jackets. It was a pair of Lefites jeans from more than a decade ago.

Looking at it, the pair still looked updated and current, and is still very much wearable now. So, even after that long period of time, this Lefties is still right.

LFTAT: Prairie Picnic

One of the shows we used to watch as little kids was "Little House on the Prairie."

It was our first peek into American country life - rolling plains, country houses, wagons, family picnics by the field - the whole shebang.

Then, there's the fashion. The women and girls wore dainty prints, loose silhouettes, frilly sleeves, clothes that looked fun and effortless.

The series last aired 40-years ago, but their effect on pop culture is still felt until today. And that effect is what inspired today's Look For Less Than A Thousand.

The top is from Surplus Shop, and has that neutral colour and frilly sleeve that harks back to their prairie dreses.

The Zalora skirt is loose and breezy, just like their dresses. And it has a red, checkered print that harks back to the picnics of old.

Together, it's a modern take on prairie dressing that can work both in the countryside and the city.

Together, this outfit cost less than P700, which is also aligned with the frugal, simple living of those living in the Little House on the Prairie.

The bold and the beautiful

Nope, this isn't about one of the longest running soap operas in the U.S.

And when I say "longest-running," note that TBATB has been on air since 1987! That's 35 years!

This is about floral prints.

When people say floral prints, the first thing that comes to mind are dainty, delicate florals. They're usually mall prints set against a contrasting colour. Which is what people usually see.

But there's another type of floral print. One that's big, bold, and vibrant. Just like this print from a dress that I got from Zanzea.

From the striking hues to the oversized graphic florals, this dress looks so happy and chic. And it's perfect for a weekend stroll in the mall or just lounging around the house.

Wherever it's worn, folks will definitely remark how beautiful it is.

Cross country

While in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, almost 2 decades ago, we wandered off into this street stall that sold these very pretty crosses.

Being a predominantly Catholic country, Mexico sells a lot of religious imagery made by local artisans. And this shop was one of them.

What caught my eye was a cross that's made of metal, then mounted on wood. The metal cross had different patterns and designs on them, and it made the cross very unique.

The crosses I bought still hang at home, at Biboy's house in ATL, at Ate Bullet's house, and at the houses of all my friends who received them as a gift.

While looking at it this weekend, it made me want to buy more. Now, I'll have to check whether they have it on-line, or if I have to go cross country to Mexico to get some mroe.

Scent Memory - Citrus edition

Citrus scents always fascinated me.

Probably it's because my grandparents had a calamansi farm in Bicol, and one of the most lasting childhood memories I have is walking around the farm and smelling the small, green fruits from the trees.

Whenever the caretaker would make calamansi juice, the distinct smell of the peels would waft from the kitchen, which was such a fresh, clean smell.

That childhood memory makes me gravitate towards citrus scents whenever I buy shower gels, shampoos and other personal care products. Palmolive Aromatherapy Anti-Stress was my go-to shower gel for the longest time, thanks to its mandarin extracts.

Then, there's this cologne that was given to me as a gift almost a decade ago. It was Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine, and it was a cologne with different types of citrus fruits in its top, middle and base notes.

It was such a fresh, clean scent that the bottle didn't last too long because I'd spray it everywhere. From our sheets, to our room, to my closet. 

During my US trip in 2019, this brand and scent was available at Sephora. Now, 3 years after, I find myself asking why I didn't buy that bottle. 

Hopefully, they'll still have it available in Sephora during my next trip to the US or SG.

That citrus scent still lingers in my memory.

FMM: Different forms of Love

Three years ago, I wrote about this LSS that kept on playing in my head. Back then, I wasn't sure of the title or artist, and the only thing I knew was part of the lyrics. 

Searching the net yielded this song from the 80s, "Everlasting Love" from an artist named Sandra. It became my Friday Magic Madness feature back then.

While watching youtube this morning, this song suddenly popped-up in the video suggestions.

Apparently, there's a version from as far back as 1967. According to online information, this is the original version, sung by Robert Knight.

After 7 years, the song was reinterpreted by another singer. This is the1974 version by Carl Carlton:

Now, aside from Sandra, there's another version from 1981 from Rachel Sweet and Rex Smith:

And if that's not enough, Gloria Estefan also had her version of the same song from 1994:

No matter who sang this song, even if it has different versions, it's still as fun and catchy as ever. And that's the hallmark of a classic song that transcends time.

LFLTAT: Mimicking Miyake

Issey Miyake is a fashion legend.

This avant-garde designer from Japan introduced and revolutionized the concept of pleats in fashion. It was in the 80s and 90s when his designs were recognized by the world, and people never saw pleats the same way again.

He turned pleats into sculptures that flattered the body, and it made pleats a part of mainstream fashion.

He immediately came to mind when I saw this blouse at The SM Store.

This beautiful cocoon-type blouse in a powdery, old rose color looks so chic. And it mimics the pleating style of Issey. What made this blouse even better was the fact that it was on sale!

With such a fashionable top, all it needs is a classic pair of dark denim jeans to make it pop.

Incidentally, the jeans were also on sale. Because of that, this whole outfit rang up to less than a thousand pesos!

But with the top alone, it looks so, so, so much more expensive!

Rome if you want to

While it's common knowledge that I'm a huge B-52s fan, and their song "Roam" is one of my go-to karaoke songs, this post isn't about that.

It's about "Rome."

My last trip to Rome, Italy, was almost 20 years ago. Being a fan of both Roman Mythology, Roman Architecture and Catholicism, this was a must-visit destination for me.

As a destination, it's postcard-perfect and coffee table book pretty. Walking around the city was like seeing a book come alive. The landmarks that are often seen in travel books and magazines - Trevi Fountain, the Colloseo Roma, The Vatican City - they're just as the books portray them. 

I'd spend hours walking around, taking photos on my film camera, and just taking it the sights and sounds of this magnificent Italian city.

For some strange reason, though, I had no desire to revisit the city after that last trip. There were a couple of European cities that I've visited multiple times - Amsterdam, Barcelona, Koln, Paris - places I went back to because I really wanted to go back. 

Last night, while browsing Netflix, one of the suggestions was this rom-com set in Rome (so, should I call it a Rome-com? Harhar!) entitled "Love & Gelato."

Watching it made me feel like I was in Rome again. Even if it was almost 2 decades ago, seeing the sights made me feel like my trip was just a few months ago.

Now, I'd like to roam Rome all over again.

Hand-yman

Fun fact: Part of my advertising career is being a hand-talent. So, not only do I make commercials, my hand appears in commercials!

It started in the 90s, during my first job in Adformatix.

During a print shoot, we were having difficulty directing a talent on how to handle a capsule. To expedite things, I went in front of the camera and showed the talent how to do it. 

Suddenly, the photographer told me that I should just do it myself. And he photographed my hand for that print ad. And that began my "hand-talent" career.

Since then, I've appeared on print ads for a mobile phone (holding the newest model), print ads for a beer brand (holding a bottle of beer), a television ad for a cigarette brand (holding an unlit cigarette, because it's not allowed to advertise a lit cigarette,) among others.

Last week, our latest TVC for Gardenia came out. And guess who's hand was featured there?

Yes, that's me! (My hand, at least.)

It was the same story. While showing the talent how it should be done, our director told me that my hand was what he was looking for in the shot.

And just like that, the role was, uhm, hand-ed to me.

Fireworks

Let me quote Katy Perry's 2010 hit song, "Firework".

"Like a 4th of July. Baby you're a Firework! Come on, let your colours burst!"

Happy 4th of July, and have a colourful celebration to all my family and friends in the US! 

Catnappers

There's nothing like watching napping cats to make Sunday more relaxing.

Gosh, these make me just want to nap.

The Smiths

Nope, this isn't about that awesome New Wave group from the 80s.

Make no mistake, though. I'm a huge fan of the group. Especially their song, "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now."

This post is actually about another Smith.

ScentSmith!

It was around 4 years ago when I first saw their store in Greenbelt 5. The shop automatically drew me in, particularly the scent that wafted out of the store. Each time, I'd find myself popping in and trying some of their scents. 

The first scent I bought was "Lemongrass Mint" and it's something that I use until now. And while I started with their perfume, I'm topping up my collection with these other body products.

Let's just say that ScentSmith is Scentsational!

FMM: Always a Favorite

Recently, Julie Andrews was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Film Institute. And while watching it, I was grinning ear-to-ear with joy.

Julie Andrews is one of the most wholesome, charismatic and joyful actresses in Hollywood. 

These are also words that can describe the roles she played, from the start of her career to her more recent work. 

Wholesome, charismatic and joyful best describes her roles from Mary Poppins in the film of the same title, to Maria Von Trapp in "Sound of Music." From the dual roles of Victor/Victoria in the film of the same title, to her royal turn as Queen Clarisse Marie Renaldi in "The Princess Diaries."

But among her many films, one that's going to be always close to my heart is "Sound of Music." I've watched this film countless times, I've been on the "Sound of Music tour" in Salzburg, Austria, and yes, I've sang a song from that film, too.

When we were in the LSQC choir, one of the first songs we performed was "My Favorite Things." It's a song that I know to heart until now, and that's why it's going to be today's Friday Magic Madness song.

It's a classic and the feels are the same now as it was then.

Julie Andrews and this song. Truly 2 of my favourites!