The New Standard

Here's one of our new and interesting discoveries in Tokyo.

Standard Products is a home store that's pretty much like Muji. They have items for every room of the house, from the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living room, laundry room, and the like. The designs are very Japanese in aesthetic, making it as visually pleasing as it is useful.

Now the thing about Standard Products is that it's owned by Daiso. So, the items range from Y300 to Y1200. Yup, they're cheap.

This is going to be a standard store to visit in Tokyo from hereonin.

Feeling Chik-y

After asking Mark if he remembers the last time we had our photo taken with Hachiko in Shibuya, the answer was simple.

It was a long, long time ago.

Maybe it was in the late 2000s or early 2010s. 

What I remember is our photo with the reunited Hachiko and Professor photo which was taken in 2015.

Since it was too long ago, it was time for a redo!

After seeing that the line had whittled down completely, we took it as our chance to have this traditional souvenir shot taken.

Great to see you - and have a photo with you again - Hachiko!

Hooked on it!

Since they've discontinued Filet-o-fish in the Philippines, it's one sandwich that I'm constantly on the look-out for whenever my travels take me out of the country.

Luckily, they still have it in Japan!

Bonus, they also have sweet potato pie!

This meal got me. Hook, like and sinker.

FMM: Generation Alpha

Let's make today's Friday Magic Madness song simple.

Forty years ago, 1984 to be exact, Alphaville launched this song that became such a global hit. Let's just say, the song made it big. Really big.

"Big in Japan," is now an iconic song that's known and loved by many generations. This was quite th efeat considering how Alphaville was a German band, but they were able to penetrate the international marketr with their catchy synth-pop music.

Considering how many people are into visiting Japan these days, this song has more meaning.

Go big, or go home. That's what they always say.

Meals with Mark: Gusto-tory delights

The question of where to have lunch first is a perennial one for Mark & myself.

When we asked each other that question yesterday, the answer turned out to be just a ew meters away.

Cafe Gusto!

So, our first lunch in Tokyo is Italian by way of Japan.

We had Mentaiko pasta, Margherita pizza and fries. Let's not forget the drink bar.  All good, as expected.

Like many of our constants, Cafe Gusto does not disappoint.

Tones in Tokyo

With Toni's talents, it's easy to see that she'll go far in whatever endeavour she puts her mind and energy into.

Even in her newest venture - Sweet Tones!

Yup, she's finally venturing into a food business! It's a natural progression considering that she graduated from a culinary course and even went to the US for her internship.

And her first product - her version of the viral Dubai chocolate - is so good!

It's so good that it's now in Tokyo!

See! It's already gone that far.

Wasted Attitude

One of my pet peeves is when people choose the "print receipt" option on ATMs, then immediately throw away the receipt after it's dispensed by the machine.

Such a waste of paper.

What makes things even more upsetting is when they carelessly throw away those pieces of paper. That act creates a situation like this:

Such a waste! Figuratively and literally!

Do not be deceived

Looks like there's more than meets the eye to this jeepney.

Makes me wonder what this transforms into.

Sketchy Stories: Scrap star

Was cleaning my room one weekend and chanced upon a pile of scrap fabric.

These were fabrics that were left behind from previous projects. It included some cuts of native fabric, the "kumot," pieces of "katsa," and a small cut of chambray.

Instead of throwing out the scraps, it inspired me to sketch this.

The scraps will be part of the bottom of the skirt. The design is tiered and a bit random, to give it a mish-mash and patchwork feel.

Showed it to Ofel, and she was able to execute it exactly the way I envisioned it.

The base is a dark denim dress, and the fabric scraps added colour and fun to the skirt. The sleeveless dress has a bateau neckline and a v-shaped back.

There was so much fabric scraps and denim, that we were able to do another dress. This one had flutter sleeves and a v-neck neckline.

Who would've though that scraps could be this chic!

The perfect channel

As a student of a Franciscan school, one of the prayers we'd always say is the Prayer of St. Francis.

As a member of the school choir, this was also a song we'd memorise by heart.

And since it was the Feast of St. Francis yesterday, it's only but fitting to play this song:

This song still gets to me.

Happy Feast Day St. Francis of Assisi!

FMM: No worries

Upon seeing the ad announcing the concert of the group "Incognito" here in MNL, it felt like the 90s all over again.

The group was huge in the 90s. We'd listen to them whenever we'd pull overnighters for college projects, so hearing their songs brings me back to college.

My favourite Incognito song has to be "Don't you worry 'bout a thing." It's such a fave that it's going to be today's Friday Magic Madness song.

Hard to believe that this song was first launched in 1992! So, it's already 32  years old!

Gosh, I'm old!

Printed Matter: Instant Doodles

I've been drawing since my childhood days. It's something I've carried until now. Occasionally, I'd find myself doodling on random pieces of paper. It could be a house, an animal, a paisley print - things that just pop in my head randomly.

This love for doodling is what drew me to this print.

It looked like someone gave a kid a piece of cloth and asked him to doodle anything he wanted. The result are random doodles featuring shapes, faces, even plain scribbles.

And these doodles are the centrepiece of this beautiful dress from Urban Revivo.

This dress is just GOR-GE-OUS! The print is the main focal pint, but the 60s silhouette with the ruffle detail elevates the whole look.

That's why I knew I had to buy it the instant that I saw it.

New Heights

Despite the fact that I've been with the company for more than a decade, this is the first time I'm seeing this view.

Apparently, we have a balcony that faces Emerald Avenue!

Despite the height, I'm finding this view quite relaxing.

Ah yes, you learn something new everyday.

Way back Wafer

 Lola Dita would always have a lot of food in their room. In fact, they even had a double door fridge inside their room, and they would keep a stash of goodies there, like ice cream, chocolates and gummies from Spain.

Another thing that Lola would always have was a can of Nissin Chocolate Wafers. Back then, my eyes would always gravitate to the big, brown can with a very interesting vintage graphic. It showed a street scene from (what I felt like was) the 1940s, and had different women in bikes. 

They stopped producing that can here in the Philippines, and that memorable visual was gone from our shelves.

But apparently, it's still pretty much alive in Malaysia.

You could just imagine my thrill after seeing this. It felt like being back in my childhood, inside Lola Dita & Lolo Iking's room in Morato.

Amazing how snacks can be a way of going back.