Two good to be true

The inner child in me is ecstatic!

Two of my favourite Dunkin Donuts flavors are back. At the same time!

As a kid, my allowance would usually go to Choco Jelly Ripple and Split Royale. What's common with these 2 donuts is the abundance of icing. For the Choco Jelly Ripple, it slathered on the top and sides fo the donut, and piped on top. For the Split Royale, it's nicely piped on top to mimic a banana split.

Now, this is where my salary will go.

Found in translation

It's true that you learn something new everyday.

Example, I was today years old when I found out that "Chicharon Bulaklak" has an English translation.

Somehow, it sounds more fine dining when you call it "Flowerfat."

WATN: Potter head

No, this isn't a post about Harry Potter.

But it is about a Potter.

Monica Potter, to be exact.

During the late 90s and early 2000s,, she was one of the most visible actresses in Hollywood. She was mainly known for rom-coms, but her range allowed her to play darker roles. My first exposure to her was "Con-Air," but for me, her most iconic film would be "Head over Heels."

Later on, she appeared in thrillers like "Along came a spider," and "Saw." After that, her appearances were few and far between.

According to IMDB, she had a few small roles in the 2020s, but nothing as big as her early films. But it would be nice to see her again in a rom-com, since that's where she really stand out.

Market Dynamics

One of my favourite parts of advertising work is going on-field and seeing how real consumers interact with our brands.

Haven't done that in a while, so it was great that we were invited to our client's wet market roadshow in Pasay yesterday.

As expected, it was loads of fun. From the games to the interaction, having this face-to-face encounter beats any type of desk research.

We should do this more often.

Movie scenes in my mind: Fierce foot

There are a number of movie scenes that live rent-free in my mind.

Some are there because of humour. Some are there because of music. Some are there because of powerful emotions. Some are there because of a memorable script. Some are there because of excellent acting.

This scene is a combination of the last 2.

This pivotal scene from "Erin Brockovich" is a masterclass in subdued and effortless acting. Julia Roberts delivered the line with a perfect balance of calmness and intensity, and that further amplified the power of her dialogue and the scene.

The "two wrong feet and f***ing ugly shoes" line was gold!

And that was her foot in the Oscan door.

FMM: Swim in the Ocean

I've been reviewing my 80s playlists of late, and came across an artist that I'm a fan of, but hasn't been on my Friday Magic Madness feature yet.

Billy Ocean.

Yup, he's an 80s staple with his smooth voice and catchy sounds. 

Just like this 1984 classic.

"Caribbean Queen" has an iconic intro. The type that you listen to the first second and you know what the song is. And yes, we had a cassette tape of this artist, thus, I'm familiar with the song. Even if I was not even a teenager when it was released.

'Nuff said. Time to dive into Billy Ocean.

Rose (gold) to the occasion

Metallic colors are usually difficult to pull. Especially the ones that are on the shiny side.

That's why when my Mom and sisters need to wear something gold or silver, my instinct is to go for the more matte and subtle versions of that hue.

But in a random shop in Cubao Expo, the exception presented itself.

It came in the form of this rose gold gown.

The colour - whilst metallic - isn't too shiny or garish. Maybe it's because of the material, but it's not blindingly shiny.

And of course, the design is so nice that you go past the colour to focus on it. The draping, the details, they all make the dress look super elegant.

We hit gold with this one.

Caught up

I'm from advertising.

Thus, I should be aware that posts like this are just a ploy for thumb-stopping and engagement.

Despite that, here I am, still playing and trying to catch the photo within the outline.

(In fairness, was able to do this on the 1st try.)

Sweet Start

It's the first day of Toni's bazaar in SM Megamall today.

And as the supportive Tito, being there was a non-negotiable.

Even before 10am, Toni and her team were busy setting up. And even as they were setting up, the people started to gather.

At 10:01am, this was the line!

Looks like another sweet and successful bazaar run for Toni! 

And we couldn't be prouder of her.

Super Shocked

But really, I shouldn't be.

I've seen the National Bookstore Superbranch go from 5 floors, to 4, to 3, to 2, and now, to just 1 floor.

And soon, that 1 floor will be gone, too.

They're finally saying goodbye to the Superbranch and moving it to Gateway 2. But as the sign says, an art and community center will be rising in its stead, so that's something to look forward to. 

So, thank you, National Bookstore Superbranch! Thanks for the memories!

Spaghet it!

This might be my "official meal" whenever I'm in Bicol.

For the past 4 trips, I'd always go to Bigg's to have their spaghetti and pizza bread combo.

The spaghetti is super good! 

Actually, this spaghetti is better than Jolly Spaghetti IMHO.

Bicol Beckons

Looks like 2026 is becoming my most Bicol year.

This weekend trip was my 4th for the year. And no matter how many trips I've made, I'll never get tired of this view.

Magayunon!

FMM: Times for a comeback

There's a common thread that connects the songs of the 90s.

Most of the songs in that area - the fast ones, at least - are all ear worm worthy.

Catchy beats, fun lyrics, repetitive portions - this was the formula that made bands like Aqua, Vengaboys, S Club 7 and their ilk so popular.

You can also add Ann Lee to the list.

Her 1988 hit, "Two Times" was all over, it was difficult to escape.

Then again, with a song that brings out the good times, why would you want to?

Around the bend

It's wild that "Legally Blonde" celebrates its 25th year this year.

Gosh! It's one of those moments when you just feel old.

That simply means it's been 25 years since we all bent and snapped.

To quote the guy in this clip:

"It works every time!"

Having a ball (and chain)

And the Japanese brand invasion in Manila continues.

Now, the much loved casual bag brand from Tokyo has arrived in Manila.

"Ball and Chain" is a quirky and utilitarian bag that's a favourite pasalubong from people traveling to Japan.

Now, you don't have to go far to actually get it.

Sugoi ne!

Entangled

With so many cup noodle brands and variants in MNL, it's easy to have noodle fatigue.

But trust Samyang to do something about it.

Tangle is one of their newer products, and it's a novel concept.

Instad of the suual noodles, it's instant pasta in a bowl!

They have 2 variants, but I've only tried the garlic oil. And it's actually good!

Can't wait to try their creamy mushroom next.

As a new week rolls along...

 ...this cute cat is rolling in his sleep.

This cat pretty much sums up everyone's sentiment this Monday.

Tech-cash

When we were about to pay for Dad's purchase at Shopwise, this greeted me at the counter.

Shopwise now has automated payment machines!

Yup, you can just enter your bills and coins, and you're done. No more giving your money to the cashier.

Can self checkout counters be next?

Curry up

Two weeks after blogging about that 1-2 Curry Puff punch during our trip to SG, this happens.

Hong Lim Curry Puff is opening in Trinoma.

The place where I bought the 2 Michelin starred curry puffs is called Hong Lim Hawker Center, and apparently, that's where this chain came from.

Now, it's easier to satisfy my cravings for real curry puffs.

FMM: It's her turn (around)

Gosh, this is such a shocker.

I've been doing Friday Magic Madness for decades, and it's just today that I discovered that Bonnie Tyler has never been featured!

Sacrilege.

But as they say, better late than never.

So, as a tribute to the iconic Bonnie Tyler, here's the song that she's best known for.

"Total Eclipse of the Heart" truly eclipsed many songs it was pitted against, and rightfully so. The song is well-written, beautifully sung, and is so memorable. In fact, it's so memorable that, 43 years later after its release, people still know and sing this song.

Bonnie and this song will never be eclipsed.

Eclipsed

Today, they delivered the sad news that the 80s singing icon has gone to that great music hall in the sky.

Yes, Bonnie Tyler has passed on at the age of 75.

Any kid of the 80s will know Bonnie Tyler. Her song, "Total Eclipse of the Heart" wasn't just popular, it's iconic!

She's truly one of a kind, and she, and her voice, will be sorely missed.

The Godfather

No, this isn't a post about the Marlon Brando film.

It's about...

Me!

Yup, after many, many outings as a godfather to my friends' kids, I'm now - and for the first time - a godfather at a wedding!

Last Sunday was my first foray as a wedding godfather, and the lovely couple is my art director - Kat, and her new hubby, Laurence!

It's a different feeling when you're now acting as a second parent to a married couple. While I'm not equipped to give them marriage advice, I'd probably give out sound and good relationship advice.

Better get ready for this new responsibility.

Herring Aid

"Golden Girls" was an iconic show in the 80s. 

While we were just young kids back then, we were able to appreciate the very adult - and super old - humour. The quips and quibbles of Dorothy, Rose, Blanche and Sofia would elicit giggles and laughs. My favourite would be Rose's St Olaf stories.

Just like her story about the Great Herring War in St Olaf.

What's great about this clip is seeing Dorothy and Blanche break character and just laugh at the silliness of Rose's story. It's this kind of comedy that's a joy to watch.

I've seen this clip more than a hundred tines, and I'm still laughing each time.

Werther's or not

When my parents came back from Bicol, aside from their usual pili pasalubongs, there was one thing they brought home that caught my eye.

Werthe'rs Original!

This caramel candy is a fave since we were kids. Among the many caramel candies, this one really has the rich, creamy caramel taste that feels indulgent, yet light. 

Apparently, Dad saw it at the Duty Free store at the airport and couldn't resist buying one. Good decision because not only did he bring home a bag of candy, he brought home decades worth of childhood memories.

That's sweetness in more ways than one.

It's a Homer-run!

As a grade school kid, my fascination with Greek Mythology and stories was prominent. 

I've written about this factoid on this blog before, but I'd spend hours in the library reading Edith Hamilton's "Mythology" and Homer's "The Odyssey."

That was decades ago, and it's been a while since I've held those 2 books.

So, it's exciting that one of those 2 pieces of Greek literature is now a film. By Christopher Nolan, no less.

Judging by the trailer, it looks like "The Odyssey" will be a must watch for me. 

I'm sure it'll bring me back to my childhood, and I'm all for it!

Lifting the Weil

While we were in Changi a few weeks ago, one of the duty free shops had the full collection of Byredo's "Night Veils" collection.

It's supposed to be a darker and richer iteration of a brand that's more known for brightness and effervescence. That's why it was interesting to see - and smell - the line.

Yup, it's a departure from the usual Byredo scents. Despite that, they work. My fave among the lot is the Vanille Antique, which I eventually bought for Ate.

You've got another hit here, Byredo.

FMM: Chic Times

Chic is so famous for their hit song "Le Freak," people forget that they have another song that's as catchy and danceable.

"Good Times" was a hit song from the group that hey released in 1979. It has some similarities with "Le Freak," but overall, this song feels more chill and boppy rather than dance-y.

It's always a good time when you listen to it.

Nuggets of cuteness

This series of shorts suddenly popped up on my feed.

Now, I'm hooked!

It's so simple and cute. And it's a good break from all the craziness on the net.

We need more feel-good content like this.

That's practical

After "The Devil Wears Prada 2," here's another film whose sequel comes more than 2 decades after the release of the 1st one.

"Practical Magic" came out in 1998, and yes, I watched that film in 1998. So, it's exciting to see the same characters and actors reprise their roles after 28 years.

Hope the sequel is as magical as the original.

If it ain't broke...

Saw the new logo of Ivory in SM today.

It's another redesign of the logo. The first one was sometime in 2013, and back then, it wasn't as nice as the original.

As a user of Ivory products since my childhood, I've grown to love and grown attached to the brand and notice little changes like this. 

I've said it before - their old logo was already great - simple, pure, no-frills. This new one doesn't have that same vibe. In fact, it feels a bit antiquated and old-fashioned. It also lost its sense of purity and simplicity.

Really. They should've left it as is.

Pani for your thoughts

Saw a food market this weekend, and they sold panipuri!

They should really make Indian food this accessible.

Eating the blues away

Literally.

That's what can be said about eating this hotdog.

Yes, it has a blue bun.

Why? 

I have no idea.

But hey, it looks fun.

It's good, too.

Lomi at large

That would best describe this Lomi that we had.

Gosh! The bowl itself was so large that it looked like a basin. And they did not - DID NOT - scrimp on the toppings. And to think that this isn't their biggest bowl.

You'll need an extra large appetite to actually finish this.

FMM: 'Tis the Sison

No, this isn't a Christmas post.

Not to say that I'm not doing Christmas errands as early as now.

A few weeks ago, when we attended Tita Elvie's birthday bash at the gazebo, her kids treated everyone to a mini-concert. Yes, Tita Elvie's kids are all good singers.

And it was during that mini-concert, one of his sons sang this song:

Gosh! It's been ages since I last heard a Marco Sison song. And that song that he sung turned out to be one of his biggest hits, "Make Believe."

It's the season to add this guy to my playlist.

Risso graph

Just when you thought Uniqlo was slowing down on collabs, they come in with another one!

Passed by the Uniqlo store in SM Megamall and saw a rack that vibrant and eye catching prints. Upon approach, it turned out to be the Uniqlo x Francesco Risso collab which just dropped today!

Francesco Risso is an Italian designer who's best known for his work at Marni. With his eye for prints and a fun yet classic style, his work for Marni had a joie de vivre, but done in a very subdued and elegant way. 

That aesthetic is evident in this collab. He has colourful and vibrant prints are on tailored dresses and sharp polos. And there's so many awesome items to choose from!

And that's my cue to go back and snag some pieces from his collection. Soon.

Sam-thing to look forward to

I've been binge-watching a series of real-life content on FB lately. And it's created by this awesome guy.

His name is Sam, and he goes to underrated but deserving restaurants in the US, creates content about them, and promotes them.  And very often, his content draws people to those restaurants, saving and increasing their business.

Whenever I'd see his videos, the smiles (and almost tears) keep coming. It's so nice to see so much goodness in people, and in the world.

Bless you, Sam. May you help more people and keep on doing what you're doing.

Salt in SG

While Donki in Vivo City might be closing, it didn't stop me from going there and finding this:

Salt and Litchi!

Yup, my favorite drink from Tokyo is also here.

To paraphrase Miranda Priestly:

That's salt.

Meals with Mark: (Toast) Box it in

When Toast Box was still open in MNL, Mark and I used to eat there. Usually, it would be with Ia who's a fan of Kaya Toast.

That's why during our trip to SG last week, we decided that one of our breakfasts should be at Toast Box. It would be good to relive our Toast Box days, right at the home base of the brand.

Of course, we both had the sets- the Chicken Floss toast set for me, and the Ham and Cheese toast set for Mark.

It's been a while. But it's still as good.

Keep calm and curry on

The Curry Puff is one of the snacks that's always a must-have every SG visit.

It's been written on this blog several times that Old Chang Kee is my curry puff of choice. Their Curry-O is da bomb!

But on this visit, Ka Wei brought me to a Hawker store in Chinatown and let me try 2 Michelin starred curry puffs.

They're both good and deserving of their stars. But if a choice has to be made, it's the Heritage Tanglin Curry Puff for me. It's flakier, and the filling is more flavourful.

Admittedly, though, Old Chang Kee is still my sentimental fave.

Hop to it!

Another SG trip, another discovery.

As a White Rabbit stan, this new place introduced to me by KaWei is a big check mark.

A White Rabbit store!

It's at the market behind Chinatown Point mall, and it's a small store with everything White Rabbit. Aside from candies in different flavours, they also have a lot of merch!

Walked out with loads of candies, a tote bag and stickers!

Will most likely hop on over to this place again during my next SG visit.

FMM: Quay Note

I've been to SG many times, but this trip was my first stay in Roberson Quay.

We stayed at Intercontinental Robertson Quay, and it was a quiet and quaint hotel. It's just across the river, so you get very nice views at night. Plus, there's a plethora of food and drink choices, thanks to The Quayside.

While it's off the beaten path, it's still accessible since there are 2 MRT stations near it. There's Clark Quay station which is about a 10 minute walk away, and Fort Caning Station which is relatively nearer. 

The hotel is also near another notable SG place - The Warehouse Hotel. 

Used to go here back in the 2000s where it was still a bar. And while the nature of the business has changed, the structure is still the same.

All this talk of Quays - which, by the way, is pronounced as "keys" - made me think of this David Benoit classic. And that's going to be today's Friday Magic Madness song.

Yes, this Robertson Quay entry is the impetus to "The Key to You." This is a 1988 classic which was such a ubiquitous song in radio stations, particularly City Lites 88.8 and 96.3 WRock.

And that's the quay.

Don(e) for?

Was excited to check out the Don Don Donki branch in Vivo City.

Once there, this is what greeted me.

Say it isn't so!

And say that it's just this branch. 

Don Don Donki can't just give up on SG.

An apple a day

Looks like ijooz is getting a bit of competition.

During my last SG visit, it was just the ijooz fresh orange juice vending machine. But now, you also have. a fresh apple juice vendo!

Had to try it, and it was okay. 

But at P148 a cup, I'm better off buying a 1-liter carton of Ceres apple juice. 

Love the way you lie

Nope, this isn't a Rihanna post.

It's a post about this cat.

Don't you just love how comfortable he looks while lazily lying around?

South of Japan

Just because it's a coffee shop named after a famous place in Japan, and it's in the South.

Yup, Mark and I tried Niseko Coffee in ATC. The thought of Japanese coffee is always promising, so we thought, "let's try it out,"

Aesthetics-wise, it's good. The chocolate was just okay. But the coffee was a fail for Mark.

Hey. At least we tried.

Denim in bloom

This year's Purple Sale is a case of "quality over quantity."

While the haul might not be as plentiful as the past sales, the gems were really gems.

Just like this denim ensemble fro RAF.

It's a denim vest and skirt, made from the same dark denim material. What makes it interesting is the floral details scattered around the pieces. They're also made of denim, has frayed edges, and are all detachable! That's fashionable yet practical.

Just like flowers, this is a fresh take on the denim-on-denim trend.

Fitch Perfect?

I'm not sure if this is a case of "Johnny Come Lately" or "It's about time," but this once-iconic American fast fashion brand has finally opened its first store in the Philippines.

Yup, Abercrombie & Fitch.

This famous and infamous brand is known for their shirtless sales staff, dark store interiors, and love for unabashedly perfect models. Whenever I'd visit their stores in the US, and even in TYO, and once in SG, it was a bit of a daunting experience especially when their chiseled and near perfect staff would meet you at the door. 

But I'd always find myself inside their store since I'm a huge fan of their jeans and polos. This blog is witness to that truth.

The SM MOA store doesn't look like the usual A&F store I'm used to. It looks bright and inviting, very different from the set-up I'm used to. Then again, these are just pictures. It would be interesting to go there personally and see how much the brand has evolved.

So, is their timing too late? Or is it perfect?

We shall see.

FMM: State the obvious

Today's Friday Magic Madness is an obvious choice.

The Philippines celebrates Independence Day today, so, let's play a song about Independence.

"State of Independence" is a 1982 hit by Donna Summer. People have always considered this song to be a heavyweight song because of the song's back-up choir. It featured legends like Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick and Lionel Richie! How's that for a back-up?

That's probably why after 44 years, this song is still in a very good state.

Drawn to it

Human recently had a collaboration with another street wear brand named Hamu, and they had 1 piece that caught my eye.

It's this white cargo skirt with an interesting detail. It's an embroidery, but it looks like a kid's drawing of a flower. It's this simplicity and purity that drew me to it.

Speaking of simple and pure, this knit top, also from Human, was the perfect pair. It's simple, but the scalloped neckline (which isn't too visible) is what makes it elevated.

See, simple can be chic!

Roast with the Most

The sight of roast items hanging from a window always reminds me of HKG.

Spotted this when Mark and I had lunch at Hawker Chan in One Ayala, and it immediately brought me back to my old neighbourhood in Tak Hing Street. There were a few roast restos around my building, and I've tried them all.

And of course, there's Cafe de Coral who also had a set-up like this.

You can never go wrong with roasts.

Being witty is chicken

Trust Pinoys to be clever and witty when it comes to product names.

Case in point...

Everyone knows KFC is famous for chicken, so this snack aped KFC's name to sell their chicken flavoured snack.

Admittedly, that name is what attracted me to this product. 

Honey, I shrunk the Chinoiserie

You know it's a trend when even kids clothes following it.

Thus is the case of the Chinoiserie that has been mentioned here a few days ago. During a routine visit to The SM Store, this super cute and super fashionable ensemble caught my eye.

The top is a Chinese-inspired denim polo from Just Kids. It''s actually a boy's polo, but it'll also work for little girls. I actually got this for my apo, Sab. Luckily, they had a skort made of a similar material, and that's what I got to pair it with.

This ensemble is a perfect example of "small in size, big in style."

I'll Melt-iez with you

Here's one reason why I'm thrilled that Valu$ is now in MNL.

Meliez is one of the products that's on my must-buy list every time my travels tale me to SG. This is simply so, SO good! 

The crunchy exterior, the rich, chewy caramel centre, it comes together wonderfully that it's addicting.

Here's to the first of many packs of Meltiez!

Bet your Valu Dollar

This was a pleasant surprise.

An SG icon where I'd usually buy pasalubongs is now in MNL. It opened quietly, and without much fanfare. But the shop, the promise and the prices speaks volumes.

Valu$ is a grocery store in SG that sells items for much less compared to regular supermarkets. This is my go-to place if I'm buying chocolates, cookies and other pasalubongs.

It's a very no-frills place. Wooden shelves. Cardboard signs highlighting the offers. Red and yellow signs everywhere. And the great thing is, they brought all that here, so going inside the Valu$ store in Starmall feels like being in the Valu$ store in Bugis all over again.

From now on, this is going to be my destination for value buys.

FMM: Rawls playing

After writing about fables, the word "imagination" suddenly came to mind. After all, you need a rich and vivid imagination to be able to come up with stories. Much more if you think up of fables.

And since today is Friday Magic Madness day, I'm digging up a song that I've written about more than a year ago. But it's such a nice song, it deserves a repeat.

"Pure Imagination" is a 1976 song from Lou Rawls. As kids, this song would be played a lot on cassette, whether it was at home or in the car.

True to its title, there's something very imaginative and fantastical about this song. It sounds so soothing, thanks to Lou Rawls' voice, and the lyrics were beautifully written.

So, as the song says: Come with me, and let's listen to this song again.

Aesop's fables

No, this isn't a post about kids stories. 

But as a kid, Aesop's Fables was one of the books that I'd devour.

What this post is about is this recent discovery.

After smelling Aesop HWYL, it was definitely a must-buy. It has this very green and earthy scent that's easy on the nose and not too overpowering. It also has good longevity and lasted more than 6 hours on my skin.

I'm not a big fan of perfumes, so this is a big deal.

Concrete Jungle

File under: "The things you find when you're not looking."

Was walking along the concrete pavements of 13th Avenue, and chanced upon this beauty:

It's so refreshing to see so many flowers and so much vibrant colours in least expected places. It's a nice breather from all the hustle and bustle of city life.

Wish they had more trees like this in our area.