March 2012 - This season, the app "Draw Something" is famous. I've been inviting some of my friends on FB to play this. One of my friend caught my attention, Giselle Banzon.
While we were playing turns on this game, I noticed how PRO she is in drawing the said word. Here are samples of her drawings:
Twilight
The word is just "trashcan" and yet she drew Oscar! Fantastic!
World of Warcraft
Zombie
Instead of drawing a piece of rock with limbs, she drew Gollum! And she got the face of Gollum exactly as what Gollum really looks like.
I just had to share her fantastic talent! Drawing such with touch screen smartphone/iPad is really hard! Even if she has (might have) a stylus pen, it's still difficult. Well she's got the talent! *Salute*
March 24, 2012 - Another day of the year wherein our friend, RJ Ko, invites us in their annual temple related thing in which a feast is held at the President Grand Palace Restaurant. Sorry I don't know what it's exactly called. I mean no disrespect, sorry if you find this one offensive.
So I travelled from Taft with my handy-dandy friends: Mico and Danae. I think this is the first time I saw Danae if I'm correct. We took a bus going to Lawton and rode a jeep going to Divisoria. Good thing a good citizen beside us knew that we were to get off the Binondo Church and told us that we were about to miss our destination. We said "Para" (spanish word for stop. Because saying "Stop manong driver" is too mainstream) to the driver and walked our asses to the President's.
Usual chit-chats and lol-ing was observed when we got inside. Of course some of the faces there are unfamiliar because others are guests of RJ's relatives. Only 2 tables were reserved for our circle of friends. So we headed our table and relaxed.
Having our drinks served early, I again found this Wong Lo Kat Herbal tea which tastes extraordinary!!! It tastes like "Sago Gulaman" which are usually sold by street vendors. Given that it's tea, it might be a healthy drink.
The dragon dance. One cool Chinese tradition.
Because we were invited to feast the feast, I hesitated to ask what the foods are. So I just took pictures of the foods served. Here is the first one! Noodles? Pasta? I don't really know but it's delicious! To be served first for appetizer, I'll give this one a 10/10 (or maybe I just gave this a 10 because I was so hungry that time? I don't know HAHAHA). Don't underestimate the quail, it really matches the pasta/noodle/whatever.
The second one, mixed porks and chicken? Well again, I really don't know what this dish is exactly called but by observing it, I can see braised chicken (?), porkchop (?), century eggs (?), and sweetened pork (?). I give this dish an 8/10. I'm so sorry I'm just too noob to describe the dishes above. OTL
Odi - Guia - Lovelle - Aki
Mico - Danae
Here comes the 3rd dish, my favorite. Again, I don't know what it's called because... okay I'll explain why. This is because the dishes are already listed and we weren't given the menu. So let's just base on my observations and just research for the dishes' names later. HAHA.
I said that this is my favorite because inside these tenders, shrimps can be found. Sweet mayo can be tasted outside covering the tenders. Others find this not so extravagant but I found this dish superb! The sweetness along with the tenders, just exactly what my taste buds are looking for. Of course, this one is a 10/10!!! No, maybe a 15/10! Haha \O/
The 4th dish, lechon? Well I really don't know but I can compare this fresh meat with our Lechon. this tastes okay. Not bad, not so good. Just "Sakto." So I give this one a 6/10. may be I gave this one a 5 because I've been eating a lot of lechon that month. So maybe that used-to factor was involved.
The 5th dish, now I can't even remember I ate this one! So I can't describe how it tastes like. Sorry about that. Maybe I'll try to take down notes in the next President's adventure with RJ. LOL. I give this one a ?/10 for not remembering the taste. I'm a failure OTL.
The 6th dish, a soup? Sorry for not knowing what it's called once more. But this one tastes delicious! Well I don't know if it is because I was thinking that this might be the ice breaker for the "Busog" factor after 5 dishes. So I give this one a 8/10.
The 7th dish, a chicken? Now what chicken? I don't know what this is called once more haha. But this tastes kinda okayyy. Maybe because I'm just full so my taste buds aren't working that time. So I can score this one a 7/10? Maybe.
The 8th dish, pork. I've been tasting this dish from the Flavours of China and I think they're of just the same flavor. The tenderness of the pork + the sweetness of the crunches gives this dish the excitement for sweet lovers. So I give this one a 7/10.
The 9th dish, a fish. Sorry I'm not a fish fan so I just tasted this and it tastes like... a fish? so I give this one a 5/10.
Now this time. RJ gave our table a Black Label and a bottle of water. Water = chaser? Maybe? :))
The 10th and last dish, the CRAB. It's like a fried crab? Well yeah I think it is. I just tasted some of the crumbs because I'm so really full at that time. So this is somehow nice, but the "full" factor of my belly gives my sense not to give it another shot. So I give this one a 8/10.
The dessert, a putopao? Well this puto-looking dessert contains sweets inside. I almost ate 3 pieces of this even if I'm full because this one is soooo delicious in terms of dessert. So I give this one a 10/10
Another one, the mango sago. A fruitful dessert. The dessert that was served last 2011 is a lychee one. This time, it's mango. Well I like this mango sago because of it's sweetness + a sour pinch. So I give this a 9/10.
Before going home, Anjo's friend: Simon showed us his international skills in Rubik's cube. He has joined several international competitions. Just see for yourself in these videos.
This next video just shows how great Simon is! Now he's doing the Rubik's cube with just one hand! Yes you read it right! Just - one - hand!!!
Thank you RJ for this day! Hope to eat back there at the President's next year! Thank you so much!
March 11, 2012 - A dark early rise. I woke up at exactly 5am because I need to be at McDo beside DLSU to meet up with Masa. Why? Because we'll be watching the Eagle Ridge Volleyball tournament in Cavite. So we decided to meet up there by 7am because the event will start at 9am. Masa fetched me from McDo by 7:30am and we headed to our destination. Good thing we're up early and there is no traffic but the thing is... we don't know where it is exactly, that Eagle Ridge Golf club place.
We reached Cavite and now is the time for the hunt. So we just travelled straight and looked for a gas station where we can ask for directions. I asked the gasoline boy which direction shall we take. He said that we missed a turn. So we headed back and looked for the turn he is pointing at. Being human species from the north, this place is really something new. So we asked again for directions. This time, I asked the tricycle driver and said that we are on the right track. we just have turn left on where he pointed. So we did such.
We entered a village-like place. The place is really cozy. Just like province because of the fresh air but with civilized structures. We just have to open the window just to feel how fresh the air is. No signs of pollution and all compared to Manila's ever lasting dirty air. Along the way, we are seeing street signs that are AWESOME. We saw signs like California, Los Angeles, and such. I think the street names are inspired from America's states. After around 10 minutes of travel, we finally found the place. We can hear the crowd going wild as we just parked the car.
Masa with FEU's Gyzelle Sy
We were almost just in time when we took our seats. The game system is in a round-robin basis and the top 2 will battle for the championship. The elimination round will be in a best of 3 sets basis. The finals will be decided with a best of 5 sets. The first game was DLSU Lady Spikers vs UST Tigresses. The Lady Spikers overpowered the tigresses in the first set as they scored 25 against UST's 15. The second set was a close one for UST as they scored 23 against DLSU's 25. They did their best to beat the Lady Spikers but the defending champions still have their A-game.
Masa with Lady Spiker Mika Reyes (#3)
After the game, we decided to take a picture with the team. But unfortunately, they went inside the shower/locker room instantly and we decided to just wait for the next after game.
Masa with Lady Spiker's Head Coach Ramil de Jesus
Me with Lady Spiker's Head Coach Ramil de Jesus
Me with Lady Spiker Mika Reyes (#3)
Me with FEU's Gyzelle Sy
Lady Spiker Cha Cruz signing Masa's shirt
Lady Spiker Cha Cruz signing Masa's shirt
Me with Lady Spiker Mika Reyes (#3)
After that breathtaking moment, we decided to go to the canteen to find out that they sell expensive beverages. So we decided to buy something to eat just a few steps outside the court. Outside, there is this hotdog stand. There we decided to have our merienda. The next game is 3 hours from now because the games in between consists of the men's and women's game which doesn't include the lady spikers. So we ended up chilling outside until their next game.
Masa with Lady Spiker Cha Cruz (#11)
Me with Lady Spiker Cha Cruz (#11)
Masa with Lady Spiker Melissa Gohing (#5)
Masa with Lady Spiker Michele Gumabao (#7)
Me with Lady Spiker Melissa Gohing (#5)
The next game of the Lady Spikers is against FEU. I forgot to take down the score, sorry... But the thing here is, the Lady Spikers won.
Me with Lady Spiker Michele Gumabao (#7)
After the game, we then now decided to take a picture with the team and have our shirts signed. Of course it's something new seeing the players up close after a game like this. Usually when a volleyball game is held at Flying V arena, the players walk straight to their locker room. After that, they go again straight to their shuttles and the fans don't have a moment like this. So we savored this moment!
Masa with Lady Spiker Cienne Cruz
Masa with Lady Spiker Camille Cruz
Me with Lady Spiker Camille Cruz (I look so gay LOOOOL)
Me with Lady Spiker Cienne Cruz
Masa and I ate lunch after the picture taking moments. Not very surprising but we AGAIN bought hotdog sandwiches for lunch. For it is the cheapest food back there. LOL. Then while chilling beside the hotdog stand, we saw the Lady Spikers after their refreshing shower before eating their lunch. Because I haven't got a nice picture with Mika Reyes, I decided to have a picture with her again haha.
Me with Lady Spiker Mika Reyes (#3)
Just look how tall we are. HAHAHAHAHA JK
Then after some time of waiting, we decided to watch a game of men's volleyball team. I forgot again what teams were rallying their skills out but while we were watching, we saw the twins Camille and Cienne near us. So when the set ended, we decided to have a picture with them and have our shirts signed too.
DLSU Lady Spikers vs. UE video
The third game came. DLSU vs UE. The Lady Spikers got the first set. This match is somehow depressing for the UE squad as in the second set, coach Ramil changed his players as he changed all the starters with the bench players. This will be the first time I'd be seeing Wensh Tiu play. I was astonished how Wensh played that time. I might even say that she's the one who's gonna replace Cha in terms of offense but who knows, Camille Cruz might be playing in the 75th season and her offensive power is still comparable to Cha's.
After the game against UE, we decided to buy some ice cream. While doing so, we saw Ara Galang. We decided also to take a picture with her.
Me with Lady Spiker Victonara Galang (#10)
Masa with Lady Spiker Victonara Galang (#10)
Lady Spikers practicing before the final game
The final game between the DLSU Lady Spikers and UST Tigresses began. Masa and I cheered our heart out as we shouted our university cheers! The first set ended with a score of 25-17.
Now the second set began. You know, I';m not just good with the details this time because... I don't know. Well anyway, the Lady Spiker got the seconds set once more with a score of 25-23. The score tells us that the fight was really close. All I can remember is how Masa and I cheered intensely.
Anyway, the last set came. This time, the Lady Spikers ended the set with a score of 25-20. The Tigresses showed a very good game but of course, the defending champions still have the edge and won the tournament again. Still, good game UST Tigresses :D
After the game, we talked to Cha Cruz to have a picture with the team. She said that they'll change first. So Masa and I waited for them. It's already around 10pm that time. We waited for about 20 minutes and they already went outside the locker/shower room. So we approached Cha again and gathered her teammates! We were so happy to have a photograph with them! It feels like it's just once in a lifetime experience.
Me with Lady Spiker Abi Maraño (#2)
Masa with Lady Spiker Abi Maraño (#2)
As we leave the venue, Cha asked "uuwi na kayo?" well we replied with a "oo e, late na :)" and she replied back with "sige ingat kayo ha :)" Hahaha Masa was overflowing with joy that time!
Guess what, while we reversing the car, he accidentally bumped into another car. HAHAHAHAHA. Well we assumed that it's just the plate number that we bumped on so we just carried our trip to his condo. Being a real friend, he let me stay in his condo over the night to avoid the notorious Taft area.
Before we ended up in his condo, we first bought something to eat from McDonald's. Then we headed towards his condo. Inside, I excitedly uploaded all of our pics and tagged along our friends who didn't make it with us! I forgot what their reasons were but I believe in the saying "Pag gusto may paraan, pag ayaw maraming dahilan." But I think their reasons were reasonable because it's a sunday and it's a family day of course.
I tagged Mico in this pic of Camille's signature on a clapper. It's the best I can get for my friend, his idol's signature. Well at least this made him smile for the moment. Is it? LOL. Anyway, ANIMO LA SALLE!!!
