A perfect date movie for the season.

my review, 4 stars...
1. isa nanamang kagilagilalas na pelikulang mukang pinoy ang script writer:
- the movie ends with a wedding (well, its a wedding movie anyways)
- look out for the lito lapid scene in a kabayo with jacket outfit
2. what a way to relive the Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinski issue a decade ago.
3. For those who knows Patrick Dempsey's humble beginnings in showbiz, you're up for a treat in the movie.
4. Nice sceneries of the country side!
5. very supportive friends ha! Ü

For more information about the movie, visit the following sites:
http://www.madeofhonor-movie.com/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0866439/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Made_of_Honor
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809878258/info

Since I've seen Jack Black in AI7, that's it, I'm a fan. Hahahaha.
Kung Fu Panda is star studded I tell you. Featuring the voices of Angelina Jolie, Lucy Liu, Dustin Hoffman and Jackie Chan to name a few.

I just love this line by Master Oogway: "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present." (very spam email and text)

If there's a half rating here, I would give it a 4.5
1. Very cute panda. Hehehehe. "Don't tell Monkey" scene ;)
2. Are you sure hindi Pinoy ang scripwriter nito? Check out the (SPOILER) dying Master Shify scene and you'll know what I mean.
3. The training scene at the birth of Kung Fu (sorry, I forgot the name of the lake) is a must see.
4. I think it would make as a good father's day treat.

For more information visit the following sites:
http://www.kungfupanda.com/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0441773/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kung_Fu_Panda

PS:
I see this movie as a promotional step for the upcoming Olympics this August in China. What other way to advertise it but with martial arts and their most priced treasure. Ü

Sa kanunuknunukan ng Maynila... oh yes, eternal sunshine was there! Thanks to Kurei... may natuklasan na naman akong bago. According to him, there wasn't a time that a long queue wouldn't be present at Chopsticks and Spoon from the time it opens until it closes. True enough, we had to wait in line for our turn to order at kahit nung tapos na kami kumain, mahaba pa rin ang pila. It wasn't even lunch or dinner time. Merienda time lang yun.

Service: I guess, their staff dont even have bio breaks. they're uber busy and uber fast too! You can see their cooks cooking non stop on the other side of their countertop. The kitchen can be seen from the customer counter.
Menu and Taste: Kurei ordered his usuals but it was the bomb for me! Kaboom! Swak na swak! Chami, pork Siomai, Takuyaki and a 1.5L bottle of Coke Zero. Oh yes, forward march sa gyera.
The chami was full of toppings, fresh and tasty.
I love siomai and this was the best steamed pork siomai so far I've tasted
Their home made takuyaki's the best. Fine batter with great fillings, twice the size you'll see in malls too.

Portions: The noodles were good for 4 and even the siomai and takuyaki were good for sharing too!
Price: All for a good price of ~Php 270. Good job talaga! Value for the money and feast for the palate!
Place: let me just remind you, the place is located at 168, so some folks may be uncomfy eating with the rest of the universe. Well, it's a food court for crying out loud, what do you expect? Napkins neatly folded on your lap. I don.t think so. Don't fret. They can have it to go for you.

"Which comes first? The chicken or the egg?" These were the questions I had in mind when I was skimming through the creamery's menu the other day. The names of the ice cream dishes, even the pictures, looked and sounded familiar, too familiar...

(enter sparkly sound effects)

The Magnolia Fun House, where the best ice cream in town was made. It was either a destination for a class field trip or a Sunday treat after church. Happy childhood memories swirling the moment you set foot on their glass door, hearing the sound of chimes as you enter ice cream heaven...

(2 snaps of fingers and hand waves 2 inches away from your eyes... huy!)

back to reality.

Oh yes, once again, after decades, it's time to relive and relish the moment of the the revamp ice cream parlor of the 80's. New colors, new face lift and a new name but will it pass the test of time? We'll see.

Kurei and I only had space for dessert on a hot Monday lunch time. Like what I always believe in... you'll never go wrong with an order of a banana split.

(a light bulb moment, with a matching single triangle sound)
I remember what the names and pictures look or sounded like! And I found this article online: http://www.ayalaland.com.ph/article_archive/trinoma_the_newest_and_most_exciting_destination_in_northern_metro_manila

Guess who owns Five Cows.

No wonder their menu (ice cream dishes) looked alike. But wait! The creamery's version was better. The ice cream tasted better. The strawberry jam blends very well with the chocolate ice cream! It could have been the place. But it could not also be the place. How confusing! Leche! Mag yogurt na nga lang sa susunod. hahahahaha.

Want some seconds? Anyone?

For the mocha frapp and dark chocolate lover out there, I guess this is it! Our ultimate comfort drink in a hard clear plastic grande (or venti for that matter) cup.

I had this drink twice but i haven't fully figured out what the consistency should be. My first experience was at the WCC branch at Shaw. It was like the regular frapp only darker. But the one at Pacific Star resembled Java chip (you know, with dark chocolate bits). Either way, its still great. Try one today (mega plug pa talaga eh noh?)

This will be my 2nd serving of Five Cows. My first one can be viewed here: http://oka3.multiply.com/reviews/item/142

After a hefty meal, desserts should follow... so always save room for desserts! This time around, my peek at Banana crunch, Blueberry and Banana Split ice cream

Price: expect 150 and up for a dessert order
Portions: singles
Place: you may want to have seats reserved ahead of time, dinner time on a Friday night can be quite disappointing since the best seats in the house, most likey, are already taken.

I hears it somewhere in my lifetime that you can never go wrong on ice creams with fresh bananas. True enough! I enjoyed the Banana Crunch the most, then the blueberry then the splits the last.

The Banana crunch has, of course, fresh banana slices, caramel, vanilla ice cream and corn flakes (i think). Creamy + crunchy x banana slices all over your vanilla ice cream = finding the meaning of life on an ice cream bowl

Blueberry Ice cream looks like your ordinary blur ice cream but once tasted, oh my..... "do they make these"?

Banana split.... hmmm.... topped with pineapples and strawberry jam? hmmm... that's a new experience.

Like what I have mentioned on my other Five Cows review... "malula na lang tayo sa dami ng dessert options" I guess, this will not be the last you would here from me.

Portions:
Service:
Menu:
Taste:

Before anything else.... for the nth time, mukang wala nanamang maniniwala na unemployed ako.... hay...

Back to my review.

Last Friday, my friends and I headed to TriNoMa for dinner, nothing to celebrate in particular, just dinner with friends, stories to share, crack some jokes etc etc. Good times. Good times. It was my first time at Holy Cow Chophouse, unfortunately, I can't even remember the actual names of the dishes. I hope I can bring some justice to their real identities as I type my way through this.

for appetizer: spinach and cheese nachos
salad: grilled chicken salad
pasta: Margarita Chicken
main course: US Boneless Steak and Fried Country Style Chicken Steak

Price: Php 200 and up for a dish; around Php 400 and up for steaks.
Portions: we had these for sharing. we just ordered separate sidings.
Service: they're nice and quick, i wasn't expecting that.
Place: I like their big sofa chairs; the place has that modern western feel. but i guess, the cow themed bench right beside the door and the statue helps attrack potential customers.
Menu: they have a handful of choices for the hungry palate. kid's meal packs are also available. I think it comes with a cute stuffed cow angel.
Taste: dito tayo magkakatalo. steak and salad: superb. I like their dressing and cherry tomatoes on my salad and the steak was just perfect. 5 stars there. the margarita chicken pasta, hmmm.... 4 stars, we weren't able to figure out, honestly, if the sauce was for the chicken or for the pasta. It was served on a separate bowl within the serving plate. Nachos, I guess, you don't want to compare it with the "real deal" else where. Just right for the price I guess. The tricky part is the country chicken steak. I haven't found the perfect resto or fastfood for this dish. Their version, not worth finishing your 1st serving (sorry) Better luck next time. Over all, I guess, they deserve a 4 in my book and worth trying their other dishes.

Again, a nearly accurate film adaptation of C.S. Lewis' classic "The Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian" with a little added plot here and there. :) I won't spill any beans here. (Although kahit late na ang showing sa Pinas, at least June, hindi katulad sa iba na later in the month pa). Saw the movie today at TriNoMa with my sistah, Ava (Oh yes, opening day at jam packed ang sinehan, pila balde pa sa ticket booth at sa entrance).

I just recently finished the book (like a few months ago pa naman yun) so I was anticipating a lot in the movie; and it didn't fail me and the rest of the Pinoy crowd.

Five stars for the following reasons:
1. Lucy and Edmund's roles were as accurate as it was described in the book.
2. The fight scenes are a must see
3. I love the songs "The Call" by Regina Spektor and "This is Home" by Swicthfoot that are featured at the end of the movie.

For more information about the movie, visit the following sites:
http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/narnia/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0499448/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chronicles_of_Narnia:_Prince_Caspian

Come to think of it, over the years, kapag crabs ang order, malamang sa malamang si Siena nandun. Salamat sa kanya, kaya ko nang kumain ng walang cracker. Gudlak na lang sa allergies ko (mabuti na lang at mangangati lang naman ako for an hour or so after).

Five stars for their Garlic Prawns and Garlic Crab. Dahil handa ito, sorry naman, kulang ang details ko sa review na ito. Ito na ang pinakamasarap at malasang crab na nakain ko so far. Oh by the way, both crabs and prawns were cooked the same way, with butter, garlic and kinda sweet. Superb! Aligue and all! Masarap magkamay! (buti na lang at maayos naman ang sinks (washing area) nila.

I was kinda hesitant to watch this movie since I was not an avid viewer of the series way back in college. I was asked by my friend twice and finally gave in the 2nd time. Gee boy, it was a good thing I did watch it last Friday. The movie house at Podium was jam packed, same thing at Eastwood on Saturday. Oh yes, twice ko sya pinanood, on 2 consecutive days pa. Friday with Dowie, and Saturday with Ced: Bunny, Marce liit, mano, and Jen Ong. Gujab di ba? (Oh yes, I'm still unemployed).

Laugh trip all the way! 5 stars! I was hoping that the movie won't end that soon pero syempre, kailangan din matpos and pelikula.... after 2 1/2 hours. Uber sulit! The soundtrack is great too!

I won't put any spoilers here but the only comment I'll put here is.... ang daming cut!!!!!! it's either to shorten the film or the scenes were too obscene for the "conservative" Filipino viewers.

For more information about the movie, visit the following sites:
http://wwws.warnerbros.de/sexandthecity/
http://www.hbo.com/city/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1000774/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_and_the_City:_The_Movie

I'm not an Indiana Jones fan but it was an OK movie for me after watching it with friends last Friday. It's like National Treasure: Book of Secrets meets X-Files The Movie with the plot revolving on alien remains as the god of an ancient city of gold. (Sorry, just spilled the beans right there).

I must say, Harrison was living up to everyone's expectation of leaping through cliffs and iron bars whilst being shot by a handful of fully armed men, a classic American Lito Lapid! Hindi tinatamaan ng bala ke machine gun or rebolber pa yan! Naman! ...At si Irina Spalko (Blancett) could've been hiding her secret admiration to Jones all along (pasok background music... Luha by Aegis... ♫ akala ko ikaw ay akin, totoo sa aking paningin ♪) Oh yes, uber cheezy sub plot for a very adventurous movie ng taon!

My friend (Dowie) and I's combined ratings:
1. we were not looking forward to a torrid kissing scene between Henry and Mary (mabuti na lang at wala)
2. kinikilig si Mary kay Henry. a must see!
3. si Henry III, mala Lito Lapid din ang moves with matching Tarzan swings during the chase scene at the Amazon jungle.

at ang pinaka-kabog sa lahat...

4. Are you sure it was a Spielberg-Lucas tie up movie? Parang kay Mother Lily yata ito eh? Very Regal Films! The movie ended up with a classic wedding scene between the bida and his leading lady! (kulang na lang yung dance scene sa beach to hit home run!)

Nonetheless, for sure, you've either smiled or smirked while reading my entry here. Four stars for the movie overall. Although the only continuity problem I've spotted was at the beginning (guards of the secured area in the dessert were shot by fully automatic rifles with no trace of blood) compared to the goofs documented by imdb.com; it's still a good sequel (and comeback) movie for Indiana Jones. My only word of advice, knowledge of prior the first 3 movies is a plus but the 4th installment can definitely stand on its on. Great!

For more information about the movie, visit the following sites:
http://www.indianajones.com/site/index.html
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367882/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Kingdom_of_the_Crystal_Skull

I had a hard time deciding what genre the movie should be classified in. It's retro-futuristic in my dictionary (and so is wiki's), in short, I chose Others. Ü

I must say you can not expect anything less than the best from the Wachowski brothers. 5 stars!

1. great film adaptation of its Anime original.
2. great sound, lights and CGI effects. Very appealing to the eye.
3. although I'm not a fan of the original anime except for a few episodes i was able to watch on TV, the storyline, made me wonder, can it be really possible that such automobile sports shenanigans happen in real life? could be, could be....
4. the movie made me miss 3 men in my life: my dad, my best friend and my brother. the movie is very family and values oriented. (uy cheezy)
5. You gotta love Spritle and Chim-chim. Especially their jammies!

Quoting Racer X:
"Every one of us has to find a reason to do this. You don't climb into a T-180 to be a driver. You do it because you're driven."

For more information about the movie, visit the following sites:
http://speedracerthemovie.warnerbros.com/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0811080/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_Racer_(film)

Thanks to Baneneng (aka Bunny), nakilala namin si Simply Lang Ilonggo's Grill of Riverbanks Marikina.

We had dinner two nights in a row at Simply Lang. Oh di ba, dayuhin pa talaga sa Marikina eh noh?

Saturday night:
Andie, Mikes, Bunny and I
we ordered
Sinigang na Ulo ng Maya-maya sa miso
Inihaw na Pusit
Inihaw na Liempo
Sizzling Blue Marlin
10 cups of rice
may libre pang pinya at mangga't talong ensalada

Sunday night:
Roanne, Mikes, Bunny, Mars and I
we ordered
Sinigang na Ulo ng Maya-maya sa miso
Inihaw na Pusit
Inihaw na Liempo
Sizzling Blue Marlin
Baked Tahong
15 cups of rice
may libre pang 2 order ng mangga't talong ensalada

Ambiance: by the riverbanks, dine al fresco ala dampa
Price: easy on the pocket ito mga tsong. sa dami ng kinain namin, around Php 130 ang budget per person
Portions: for sharing
Service: they're really warm! call the waitresses "Miss Beautiful" and you'll be treated well. (hehehehe)
Taste: uber panalo!

Look for Tita Deding Pacheo, the owner, their joint is somewhere in the middle of the food strip. They have pink table mantels too for easier distinction.

(disclaimer lang, hindi po ako ang pinakamaraming rice na nakain dun)

I'm not an Iron Man fan to begin with but I did enjoy the movie. Watched it with mano last Friday and it was his 2nd time. hehehehe... thanks mano!

It took me a few good stares at Pepper Potts to recognize who portrayed her role, para kasing hindi si Gwyneth eh. Galing ng make up! hehehehehe.

Since I am not an Iron Man fan, I'm not even sure who will be his ultimate foe in the movie despite all the publicities, ads and the internet. I was thinking of The Mandarin as the possible opponent but was surprised that a less famous antagonist was chosen for the film. Not bad.

I rate it 4 stars for:
1. the movie's portrayal of war and violence
2. Iron Man's suit: flaps, color and all
3. ang tumitinding ka-bitinan na lovestory of Tony and Pepper
4. I spot Stan Lee! hehehehe. classic cameo role

For more info about the movie, visit the following sites:
http://ironmanmovie.marvel.com/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0371746/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Man_(film)

Siena, Chester, JC and I had dinner at Pino's last Saturday and the food was really really great! The best Baked Scallops to date! (talo ang Rockefeller Oysters ng Seafood Island).

Ambiance: fine dining
Price: I really can't remember since Siena was the one who ordered for us. I think we shelled out Php 300 each for dinner.
Portions: For sharing
Service: they're very accommodating, warm and hospitable (OA na nga at times, ultimo pag sandok ng sabaw for seconds, sila pa rin. ayun naman!)
Taste: great great great!
Menu: We ordered Baked Scallops for starters, Inihaw na Pampano and Bulalo (Cebu's recipe has ginger on it).

But, you may wanna have a 2nd thought in ordering cocktail drinks in house, I think it's not their specialty. Nakakahumaling lang ang presyo, Php 80 for a martini. hmmmm... tempting. Rather, focus on the food.

Segue story, we had an extra cup of rice that night from Chester (who by the way, didn't eat his share). Dahil may shortage sa bigas sa bansa, tinake out ko. Bakit ba?! Maki-isa ako sa pambansang hangarin na makapag-tipid sa bigas at madaming hindi nakakain. Dahil tinake out, kailangang kainin di ba? Hala sige, kinain ko sa lunch the next day at Sumilon kahit buffet at eat you kanin dun. Panindigan ko lang. Hehehehe.

I always wondered what an Esprit tastes like, so I ordered one at Starbucks I2 in Lahug. Not bad for a 300 mL carbonated fruit drink. Php 80 pesos nga lang.

I found this in the internet about Esprit: http://www.bickfords.net/products/prod_esprit.html

Our third stop at TriNoMa... Max Brenner! (Oh by the way, the 2nd one was Jack's Loft for an early dinner).

I ordered Venezuala Dark Chocolate in a hot hug mug and Ava got a Toffee Chocishake in an Alice glass. Perfect! sayang walang churros. hahahaha.

Mabuti pa sila may website: http://www.maxbrenner.com/home.aspx
pero for US and Aussie customers pa lang.

Price: expect a cup of choco for Php 150 and up
Portions: singles
Service: male barristas are still bald (its their trademark)
Taste: heaven for the sweet tooth!
Menu: cold, hot and the best part of it all... alcohol!

Ava and I splurged last Friday at TriNoMa. We ate at 3 restos in one day! hahahaha. Mga walang magawa sa buhay!

I heard of Five Cows from Bunny, who also heard from another friend of hers (parang, ♪ there's one time in band camp ♫). Kaya ayun, mega-pilit pa ka sistah para mag-Ice Cream dun. And boy we were in for a treat! We were actually eyeing on ordering chocolate fondue but decided to get separate orders of ice cream. I, Ferrero Vanila Crunch, and Ava, Choco Mint. Wapak!

Price: expect 150 and up for a dessert order
Portions: singles
Service: they give out feedback cards
Menu: malula na lang tayo sa dami ng dessert options.

I love these lines from the movie:

Reporter: What makes you think God chose you?
Evan Baxter: He chose all of us.

***********************************************************

God: Let me ask you something. If someone prays for patience, you think God gives them patience? Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient? If he prayed for courage, does God give him courage, or does he give him opportunities to be courageous? If someone prayed for the family to be closer, do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings, or does he give them opportunities to love each other?

***********************************************************

God: How do we change the world?
Evan Baxter: One single act of random kindness at a time.
God: [spoken while writing A-R-K on ground with a stick] One Act, of, Random, Kindness.

***********************************************************

I'm happy that once in a while we get to see Hollywood movies such as this.

For more information about the movie, visit the following sites:
http://www.evanalmighty.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evan_Almighty
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0413099/

I saw this movie over cable TV the. other night. I deliberately did not watch this movie back then as it wasn't my type... drama.

Isa lang ang nasabi ko when Siena turned on the TV and switched it to HBO... plus hindi na rin ako nagalaw sa pagkakaupo... "Lord, hindi ko kaya ang ganyan. Hindi ko kaya ang ginawa nya to survive. Thank you for making my life comfy and easy compared to what he has to go through."

Kahit na unemployed, hala sige, bakasyon pa rin ako! By the way, I was in Cebu when I saw the movie on cable. Kaya naman, napadasal ako sa pasasalamat.

Four stars for the father and son tandem. His dedication, his love for his son and for his perseverance. May gas, no water and bio break to save 8 minutes and take more calls?!?!?! call center agent in the making ang story! hayyyy....

For more information about the movie, visit the following sites:
http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/thepursuitofhappyness/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pursuit_of_Happyness
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454921/