Food Trip: Kogi Bulgogi

02.24.12

After a great movie, the girls (May, Len and I) followed Nancy and her fiancee John to grab a late dinner at Eastwood’s famous Korean restaurant, Kolgi Bulgogi.

Located in a strategic location at the second floor, near the mall’s entrance, this restaurant is normally always full. I once called to reserve, however, they don’t accept reservations, but has a priority seating (meaning you still have to wait in line if the restaurant is full, but they’ll seat you first).

The Korean influence has definitely made its mark in the Filipino palate as more of these restaurants are popping up to especially cater to the many Korean nationals staying in the country to study.

Since Nancy, John, May and JR have already eaten, Len and I decided to ordered food to share. We ordered a bowl of bibimbap and soft-shelled crab maki.

Bibimbap is a korean rice dish served in a hot stone bowl. It contains ground beef, rice, veggies and egg. It is usually mixed first and spicy red bean paste can be added for flavoring and a spicy kick. Kogi Bulgogi’s bibimbap was quite good but lacked the meat part. Personally, my favorite bibimbap is the one served on Korean airlines. 🙂

The soft shell crab maki is one of my favorite sushi dishes. The size is big and topped with crab bits and japanese mayo which makes it really good.

Ofcourse the meal isn’t complete with some dessert! Kogi Bulgogi serves the famous Korean ice cream sandwiches and popsicles, that usually my mom stops here to grab her Korean ice cream fix.

A yummy Korean dinner and good conversation with friends are always a good way to spend Friday nights!

Project 365: i <3 baby shawn! (Day 56)

Welcome to the Christian family Shawn Jayden! I am truly honored to be your godmother 🙂

Food Trip: Serenitea

02.20.12

Before the influx of global milk tea brands like Gong Cha, Happy Lemon and Chatime came in the Philippines, we already had our own local version.

Serenitea started the milk tea craze in the country way back in 2008, opening its first shop in Manila. Word was spreading and soon brands from abroad followed. But despite this, Serenitea remains to be a formidable player in the milk tea industry.

Serenitea has long since branched out from its original store in Little Baguio, San Juan, and the most convenient store for me to visit is the one in Burgos Circle, the Fort.

I was in a milk tea phase that week, so as soon as I arrived from Cagayan De Oro, I made a pitstop at the Burgos Circle branch for my tea fix.

I decided to try their version of the Wintermelon Milk Tea, the flavor I am currently addicted to from Gong Cha.

But alas, it wasn’t even a worthy substitute! It taster more like ordinary milk tea and it was also a bit bitter. Still Gong-Cha’s Wintermelon Milk Tea is the clear winner.

But there are many other yummy flavors from Serenitea like their Nagoya Milk Tea, Hokkaid Milk Tea and malt milk tea.

Project 365: i <3 happy everyday! (Day 55)

This is the official slogan of Happy Lemon 🙂 Happy day with the girls and guys of MGB 🙂

Movie Review: Unofficially Yours

Finally, a week after this opened in the cinema, I finally got to watch it, thanks to my MGB college barkada.

I’ve shared the trailer on a previous post before the movie came out and I just by looking at the trailer, I knew this would be a good movie – the tandem of John Lloyd Cruz and Director Cathy Garcia-Molina has been a tried and tested formula for box office success.

The story revolves around a girl named Ces (played by Angel Locsin) and a boy named Macky (played by John Lloyd Cruz). In the beginning of the movie, they meet at the beach and had a one night stand. Cut back to real life, Macky is a dentist who is starting his new job as a writer in a local newspaper and just split up from an 8 year relationship with his girlfriend. On his first day, he discovers he will be working closely with his one night stand, Ces, who was appointed as his mentor in the office.

Its obvious that Macky likes Ces and tries to pursue her, but she holds him off and agrees to a relationship that is purely sexual in nature. No commitments, just fun.

As time goes by, she develops feelings for him, but is afraid to open her heart as she, revealed later in the story, experienced a painful loss from a previous relationship. Macky declares his love for her, but she is afraid to reciprocate. She was later on accepted to fill a coveted position abroad, hurting Macky in the process as she kept this from him. But he smiles and lets her go, saying her happiness is what’s important to him. It was only after Macky punches her ex-boyfriend on an interview did she realize how much she loves him and serenades her way back into her life.

The movie gets two thumbs up on its wit and humor. John Lloyd Cruz is in his comfort zone as the goofy and positive thinking Macky and his antics and liners caused many titters and giggles in the audience. Angel Locsin has blossomed in her role as Ces, and is also playing a familiar role of a strong independent woman. Together, they work well on screen and one cannot help but smile when Macky tries to win over Ces.

The movie also tackles the reality of the dating scene. In a place where conservatives from the Catholic Church are still the norm, the movie wasn’t afraid to tackle issues such as sex before marriage, or a relationship purely based on sex without the commitment. It is very timely, and I know of some couples who are in a similar situation.

A point to be made from the movie is that it lacks a deep story line. In all fairness, its not your typical “friends with benefits” movie as we knew from the start that Macky has deep feelings for Ces. I guess, I have watched One More Chance (John Lloyd’s breakout movie) too many times. While its entertaining, I found myself trying to look for that deep story that will cut deep in my heart. Or maybe I had some expectation of how the story should go like.

Its a definite must watch and a perfect offering for Valentines Day. I don’t need to call out for people to watch this as this movie has already been successful on its first week.