Mania in Manila

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Summer Special

Mania in Manila! Gino C Matibag Monday, May 5, 2008

It was a tiring flight from Sapporo to Manila. The

flight from HKG was delayed for 2 hours. So I arrived in

NAIA at almost 2am.

A friend met me at the airport and we ate at the Aristocrat

Restaurant. I ordered lechon kawali yum yum yum. It is

quite humid and all but I can still tolerate it.

I cant wait whatever will happen next.

* * *

I was amused with some road signs. What I saw upon arrival was this cute PED XING sign along Roxas Blvd andfronting the Folk Arts Theater. It was written in black bold letters on a yellow background. For a split second Ithought it was a new street by a Chinese name, a relative of Deng Xiao Ping or whoever. But my friend told me thatit is short for pedestrian crossing lolzzzz What a genius! And since when did we allow abbreviated spelling to beposted on a national road? But I think it's cool. May I suggest the City of Manila to create one for me? Waja tink?

Summer Special

q I Love Philippines -

q Dazzling Davao - By Armie Marie Chiu Bausas

q Bohol Escapade - By Armie Marie C. Bausas

q Finding Paradise - By Marlies R. Bosch, M.D.

q Taal Trek and Tagaytay Trip - By Ari Luis C. Halos

q Backpacking Baler - By Ari Luis Halos

q Captivating Camotes - By Jesson Jumao-as Morata

q A taste of Bicols treats - By Jennifer B. Legaspi

q In search of the Whitebeach in Negros - By Irene Catalbas

q The beautiful, loyal Los Baos I love - by Frank A Hilario

q CompostelaValleys hidden treasures islands to the highlands - by Christine Dompor

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2/11


hahaha

The cars' plate numbers have changed. In 2002, it was a white against green background plate. Now, they have thissome sort of painting. It is W series now. I can't recall what letter it was 5 years ago. Plus, instead of Pilipinas alone,Angat Pinoy or Matatag na Pilipinas is on the plate number.

Not so many things have changed really. A lot of e-load and auto-load phone cards centers could be found in almostevery corner of the Metro. Hey, I hope they will consider that some people do not bring their cell fone chargers or atleast they forget to do so everyday. What's 20 pesos for a 20 minute cell fone charge? Fair, right?

Wow. This early morning was a treat for me. Pork BBQ is really deli. Had a taste of siomai soup, lechon, sotanghon

guisado, pritong lumpia as of this time. I don't know. I tried to successfully loose a few pounds before I left Sapporothinking that I will surely re-gain it before I leave RP again. I think that it will work out just fine.

* * *

I went for a Pinoy hair cut and had some reflexology. It felt great!

I had Korean lunch with some friends. Koreans are becoming ubiquitous here. It's nice for our economy, I think. But

we were not able to finish everything we ordered. I think we didn't really know what to eat best. Most of them were

spicy but still no match with Sri Lankan foods. Anyway, they have something like nilagang baka which I enjoyed.

I feel that 7 pesos for a Jeepney ride was a bit too much. It was 4 pesos when I left in 2002. However, the taxi flag

down rate is still 30 pesos. And the drivers are still in their famous choosy behavior. Mamili ba? And the drivers

who go without their taxi meters? Oh no. Ang galing galing. And few minutes before writing this, I was shocked

when my taxi driver almost hit a crossing cyclist. Ang puso ko!

Pinoys are really fashionable. Uso na rin talaga sa masa ang anime-look. Kahit ang init-init ay ayaw paawat ng gel!

O laban ka? And their eyewear is like those that you will see in Elle and Vogue fashion mags. hmmm

The AM radio programs that I have been hearing in the net for the past few years, I could hear directly from its khz

source. Wow!

file:///D|/PC/My%20eBooks/Philstar%20entry/Manila/Mania%20in%20Manila.htm (2 of 11)9/2/2009 7:10:29 PM
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3/11


* * *

My 4.5 years craving for Caf Adriatico's Lola Ising's

adobo was satisfied last night. The long wait is over. The

well done meat with adobo rice and sunny-side up egg

with a separate sauce, capped with a really thick and cold

ripe mango juice completed the day. Caloric intake count

was set aside for the time being hahaha

A stroll along the Baywalk area is reminiscent of

Boracay. Stretching from the US Embassy to the CCP, it

was a festive mood to see Pinoys enjoying music, food and company of friends. Different music bands show off their

kind of music which caters to each interested viewer. Music from the 60s, 70s, 80s etc and the now are really a treat.

The lamp posts along Roxas Boulevard are exquisitely nice. But did the designer of the lamps realize that they look

like virus particles? Pretty cool.

Parking along the Baywalk area costs 30 pesos. There is also a Baywalk ride which looks like that of Singapore.

For a fee of 25 pesos, you can enjoy the ride along the whole stretch. The car should be renamed as Bayride

instead, I think.

There were also different kinds of Pinoy talents like these robotic dancers who would move and dance only when

you throw in coins. It was enjoyable to see. I just wondered how they could bear the heat inside their leather jacket

costumes and heavy make up.

Time with kins was something. We had lots of fun eating, singing and laughing together. Today, another cousincame back from Kuwait. So it was really enjoyable. Pork was the treat of the day. Roasted spare ribs, lechon kawali,

adobong baboy made headlines today. Poor pigs lolzzzz and the diet was made un-healthier with the absence of

veggies. That was our diet. hahaha

My cousins asked whether I am taking glutathione

because they had the impression that my skin

tone improved. I told them that I do not have budget for

that. I further suggested that they live in a more polar

place to get better that complexion...naturally hahaha

My Orthodontist was surprised that I didn't give him toofile:///D|/PC/My%20eBooks/Philstar%20entry/Manila/Mania%20in%20Manila.htm (3 of 11)9/2/2009 7:10:29 PM


4/11


5/11


Lopez Canteen, where I used to eat during college days, is still very much alive. And all the xerox businesses are

very much intact. Ang dami na rin nilang napagtapos.

During 1990, the annual matriculation fee for my medical school was about PhP20,000. Last year, parents of

medical students had to pay about PhP75-80,000. What used to be a 400 student graduating class has now been

reduced to 270 students. What 15 years can do? Imagine?

* * *

It is a welcome surprise that it is raining now, short as itwas. Mabuti na yan at nang mabawasan ang alikabok atmabawasan ang init sa Kamaynilaan.

I went to The Fort last night and had a sumptuous dinner

with some friends. The shabu shabu was truly satisfying.

Busog meals talaga. The Krispy Kreme donuts are a

diabetic's nightmare. You have to check your blood sugar

the morning after, ok? Sarap!

The Fort is much bigger now than it was few years back.

I was told that the Ayalas are the ones developing it.

Market Market was already closed during the time. I went

there past 9 in the evening. Many posh restaurants and upscale condominiums are being built. It's like extravagance

in the midst of poverty. How do you like that?

After that lovely dinner, met up with other friends. We went to Makati for some drinks and lots of eating sessions

again. I like the pizza, calamares and banana split. San Mig strong ice beer is another new thing to me. My stomachwas so stretchable last night. Pretty cool! I had sore throat the day after. Can't help but laugh hearing old stories way

back from high school.

* * *

Today is a bit cloudy. I hope that it will rain a bit to cool down the Metro. Since it is Maundy Thursday, most peoplewent out of town. I decided to remain in MNL since I will be going out of town next week. Im looking forward to seeDavao, Laoag and Bohol in that particular order.

Yesterday, I had lunch at Hap Chan Restaurant. I think I didn't make a good order. The fried chicken was

oishiikunai. For dinner, the ulo-ulo at Glorietta was a gourmet's delight. It is still located at the second level. Ang

sarap ng sinigang na ulo ng maya-maya sa miso. Dalawang rice na nakahain sa bao ng niyog at may kasama pang



6/11


Sarsi. Wow! And the after midnight treat was tapa and liempong prito with garlic rice at Rufo's. I even managed a

second helping hahaha Nio Muhlach's ensaymada is still a winner. For PhP14 apiece, you could enjoy the soft,

creamy and delicious ensaymada. I also had a taste of Beard Papa out of curiosity. I haven't tried the original from

Japan. It is PhP50 per piece.

The airconditioning system of Glorietta was not enough

to cool down the mall. Due to intense humidity, it's as if

Im inhaling water lolzzzz I bought some CDs. Lani

misalucha's latest CD topped my list. Some oldies from

Rodel Naval and Ric Segreto were bought and Kundiman

songs as well hahaha There are quite a number of CDs

which can be bought for PhP150 only and the songs are

good, okay?

I went to the travel agency to confirm my flight bookings

and dropped by at Polymedic hospital (now VRPMC) to

meet colleagues. There have been many changes since the last time I saw the hospital. What used to be a parking

lot and residents' dormitory at the back is now a commercial center and a nursing school. It was nice to meet people

with whom I worked with before. All the smiles are there, balitaan, balitaktakan and all.

Even though the taxi's flag down rate has not changed, I think they charge the passengers more per kilometer.

Most of my fares do not go lower than PhP100. However, the bus fare is the same.

* * *

It's nice to travel within the Metro during the Holy Week.

No traffic jams to speak of and it makes MNL roads bigand wide. You can strut your way in and out easily.

I spent the morning in the spa again. I had my face done

to kill the time. After which, I enjoyed double cheese

burger (which tastes like the old style Tropical Hut

hamburger). Malasado siya at alam mong ayaw paawat

ng taba. Puto bumbong was another treat. Wow! Buti na

lang meron nito kahit hindi Pasko. Im happy.

I met colleagues from the previous Polymedic hospital

during my friend's Dad's wake. Confused? So was I

hahaha A sort of mini-reunion came out of it. There were smiles and all that teeth were popping out of everybodyfile:///D|/PC/My%20eBooks/Philstar%20entry/Manila/Mania%20in%20Manila.htm (6 of 11)9/2/2009 7:10:29 PM


7/11


lolzzz. Kakahiya tuloy sa pamilya ng naulila. Picture here, video there.

During visit to my friend, I had a taste of pancit ng taga Malabon. Ang sarap at meron pang nakabudbod na

chicharon. I also had puto, brownies, Coke classic (na siguradong mas mura kaysa Coke ng mga Hapon) at ang

bagong sikat na si Boy Bawang. Yes, si Boy Bawang ang bagong pride na cornick ng Pilipinas. May buu-buo pang

bawang, okay? Masarap na ka-partner ng Coke. At nagkaroon na rin ito ng award. Panalo! Check your armpits the

morning after hahaha

Something new to me are these call center agents. There was a time that I was traveling along Makati past

midnight and in every corner were so many yuppies, I thought there were rallies. They said that these are call center

agents on night shift, ne? And I was told that there are many centers which teach Koreans the English language.

Nice business but how long will it last? When they learn the language, they would not need our services further.

* * *

No traffic congestion, way to go around the metropolis.How I wish that the flow of traffic could be like this everyday. Plus, it is not so warm and humid for the past fewdays. Great.

I learned that YMCA Makati has closed since a year ago.

When I passed by the area, there was the demolition sign

board posted in the gates. How sad! The folks who swim

there every morning must be very, very sad. According to

my sister who swims there too, the oldies had some sort

of a farewell party. I empathize with them.

I didn't go out on Good Friday since no malls were open. I had late lunch at the Next Door Restaurant. It was lechonmacau. I like the black Chinese sauce seasoning. I also visited the nearby Shakey's Pizza and had the old style

bunch of lunch. And for dinner it was topping again with pork chop. I wonder what these will do with my blood chem

hahaha Last week, I remember having Chickenjoy from Jollibee. Sarap ba?

I went to San Agustin Church with a friend after which we proceeded to the Aristocrat Restaurant in Malate. The

pancit canton was not really a winner. But I was made happy by the bibingka and puto bumbong. Although Im not a

bibingka fan, I liked this one because of its sweet and salty taste. Meron pang kasamang maalat na itlog.

I did not join the 3 hours walk to Antipolo. It will surely sore my heels.

* * *



8/11


Because the Pahilipin Peso is strong, the foreign exchange is in the vicinity of JPY10,000=PhP4,800~ not good forthe yen. I think the prices of most commodities have increased by at least 20%. An economist might say that that isreally the trend of money everywhere. That the value of money today will be smaller the next year.

It was nice to meet friends from Mindoro. It seems that a lot of things have developed from the area. Cheers! The

KFC dinner was fantastic. Hey, Selecta ice cream has new 3-in-1 flavor. We had ube-strawberry-chocolate. Paborito

ko yung ube.

I went to Bed. This bar along Nakpil Street is like the Giraffe of Makati. Nice place and sounds. People are partyingduring Holy Week. Entrance fee of PhP300 includes one drink. PhP100 for each subsequent local drink. Perhaps I

changed in this department because I only lasted for an hour or so. Or maybe I didn't know any soul there.

I dropped by at Caf Adriatico because I craved for

something to eat. I enjoyed Vigan longganiza. I even had

another helping of garlic rice. Ang sarap isawsaw sa

suka. Tapos meron pang malapot na ripe mango shake.

When I ordered for this, I request that it be really thick. I

was given a free tsokolate eh in celebration of CafAdriatico's 28th year. Wow! And they still serve the best

foods in Malate, that's something. I seldom order for this

cocoa drink because it is too strong for me. This time, I

like it better.

* * *

I went to Power Plant today and met a classmate during Micro days. This place is not new to me since this hasbeen established before I left in 2002. What is new is that the bars on the 4th level where I used to watch the bandcalled Q&A and Jaya perform live has been transformed to a book store which is now called Fully-Booked. Cutename indeed!

Hey, I had a taste of balut. I can't remember how much it cost before, but the other night it was PhP10. Maliit lang

yung puti niya kaya panalo. I can only take 2 in one sitting. So I ate one. Binudburan ko ng konting asin. Medyo

nasamid ng konti dahil magaspang iyon. I had spaghetti with meat balls at Rockwell. The papaya shake which was

made thick-er is not something I will order again.

* * *



9/11


Emergencies can be scheduled. It happened to me lastnight when my dental retainer was fractured. I had to goback to my Orthodontist to have it fixed and get a newset. It's good that it happened while Im here for thesethings will cost me a fortune in Sapporo.

I was relieved that I bought my wrist watch in Sapporo

instead of RP. The same model was USD158 cheaper in

Sapporo than RP. So, not all things in Japan areexpensive, agree?

This is the last day of the looooooooong holidays. So

tomorrow, back to the usual life for most people.... except

me. The traffic jams and extreme sauna heat of the city are back. Well, at least we get tan for free.

Today's forex is lower. It was JPY10,000 = PhP3,970~ I am not happy hahaha

Davao trip was re-scheduled 2 days later so I had to re-sked some things also. And I am looking forward to meet

friends.

I had Lucban longganisa and buden today. The scarlet-colored sauce is truly a feast to my taste buds. The cassava

cake is a bit different now. I think it has lesser cheese and is less sweeter but it is still soft and delicious. I love these

foods from Quezon Province. I was told that there is Baguio longganisa? I wonder how it tastes. It must be

something to discover.

Another exciting food that I longed is palabok. Yes, Santa Ana's famous Aling Belen's palabok is now on limited

supply. It is good that Mickie's has the same taste. Im happy about it. Aling Belen could retire anytime hahaha

I went back to the Aristocrat Restaurant with kins and then strolled along the Baywalk. I think I had too much food

for the day. It's okay perhaps. I better enjoy it till they last.

* * *

Although I have been sleeping for 4 hours a day since arrival, I don't know how I could manage myself to keepawake.

Today, I subscribed to TIME magazine for my sister to keep her abreast with the latest in international events. Ialways believe that reading will keep one's knowledge updated and the neurons in good condition.

I met with some of my doctor friends from medical school and I am happy that everyone is not only busy with theirprivate clinical practice but also to other things that interest them. After a short catching ups, reminiscences,referrals and all, the dialogue went to politics, finances, spirituality and what have you? I learned many things from



10/11


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